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THE WORKIZER 

THROPP ^ CONE 

FAMILIES 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES CON- 
CERNING THEIR RELATIONS 
TO HISTORICAL EVENTS IN 
THE SCHUYLKILL VALLEY 
AND AT VALLEY FORGE 



BY EDWARD PAYSON CONE 



PRIVATELY PRINTED 
NEW YORK 

1905 






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7 



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CONTENTS 

Page 

Introduction 3 

The Workizer Family 8 

The Old Eagle School 12 

The Thropp Family 16 

The Hon. Andrew Cone 19 

Mary F. Thropp Cone 27 

The Old Trappe Church and How a School Girl Saved It . . . 44 

Lines to the Valley Forge Creek 49 

The Lutheran's Appeal 51 

The Trappe Church 52 

Valley Forge Centennial Poem 54 

The Bentivee 57 

Home Sickness 5^ 

My Helmsman • • • 59 

My Prayer opp. 61 

The Neglected Monument of Valley Forge 61 

The Nameless Grave of Valley Forge .64 

The Wild Flowers of Valley Forge 68 

The Sentinel of Valley Forge 69 

My Husband 72 

Filial Love in Oil City 72 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

Washington's Headquarters, Valley Forge . . . . 

Portrait of Edward Payson Cone 

Birthplace of Mrs. Anna Virginia Workizer-Thropp. 
Howellville, Pa 

Childhood Home of Mrs. Anna Virginia Workizer- 
Thropp, Howellville, Pa 

Ruins of Old Baptist Meeting House. Valley Forge . 

Old Methodist Church, Valley Forge 

Residence of Isaiah Thropp, Valley Forge . . . 

Residence of Mrs. Mary E. Thropp Cone, Oil City . 

Portrait of Mrs. Katharine R. Thropp Porter . . . 

Portrait of Hon. Joseph E. Thropp 

Portrait of Mrs. Mary E. Thropp Cone . . . . 

Portrait of Miss Amelia Thropp 

Valley Creek in Winter 

Old Log Hut near the Schuykill 

Fort Huntington, Valley Forge 

The Long Entrenchment, Valley Forge 

Plan of Works of \^alley Forge Encampment . . 



Facing Page 



I 
3- 

8^ 

8 
10 
10 
16- 
16 
18 
20 
28 
40 
49 
49 
6q^ 
60- 
72 




MR. EDWARD PAYSON CONE. 




INTRODUCTION 

ALLEY CREEK is the name of a little tributary 
which the Schuylkill River receives from the 
south through a verdant valley about twenty 
miles northwest of Philadelphia. Half a mile up 
that creek, on its west bank, there stood, a century 
and a quarter ago, a smithy, where the fire 
sparkled and glowed at the bellows' breath, and 
where the swarthy workman's hammer rang out upon the 
sounding anvil its notes of honest industry as it fashioned 
the glowing plowshare or horseshoe, nail or bolt. To the 
countrymen round about, this workshop of their modern 
Vulcan was known as the Valley Forge. 

Had it not been for events which occurred thereabouts of 
vital importance to our national life, the name " Valley 
Forge " would possess no more significance to the American 
mind than the name of Greenwood Furnace, Eagle Foundry, 
Blair's Mills, or any other village grown up around a similar 
center of industry. 

But the same fundamental cause which brought hither 
this institution of peaceful labor in order that its great mill- 
wheel might be turned by the running stream — for the Forge 
was also a grist-mill — also brought hither in the winter of 
1777 and 1778 those hardy sons of Liberty, who, though lovers 
of peace and the pursuits of peace, now carried the implements 
of war that their Liberty might be secured. 

The valleys of the earth have from time immemorial been 
the pathways of history — the history of war and the history of 



peace. The navigable streams which ran through them were 
the natural avenues of travel. The contours of their borders 
permitted of roadways with easy grades. The streams 
afforded power for industry and water for domestic use. The 
alluvial soil and abundant moisture yielded the husbandman 
an ample reward for his toil. The protecting hills sheltered 
the inhabitants from the chill blasts of winter. 

And so mankind has traveled through, settled in, and made 
history in the valleys. 

In the winter of 1777-78, this Valley of the Forge held 
within its sheltering arms the little army of patriots who 
nourished and kept alive the flickering life of American Inde- 
pendence. Why came they here? We have the answer from 
Washington's own lips. 

In a vain attempt to check the British movement for the 
capture of Philadelphia, Washington had concentrated his 
army to the southward, and on September 11, 1777, made an 
unsuccessful stand at the Brandywine. Then followed the 
drawn battle at Warren's Tavern, September 16; the massacre, 
at Paoli, September 20, and the unsuccessful battle of Ger- 
mantown, October 4. Washington retired to Skippack Creek, 
about twenty-five miles from Philadelphia, and put his 
wounded in the old church at Trappe, referred to hereafter, 
and in other churches and public buildings. Shortly after- 
ward he moved toward Philadelphia again, as far as Whit- 
marsh. Here, from the 5th to the 8th of December, he re- 
sisted capture but did little more. 

What now was the American army to do? Winter was at 
hand. The British were in possession of the American capi- 
tal and the American government a fugitive. In General 
Orders dated December 17, 1777, Washington declared that 
Independence, Liberty and Peace were blessings worth con- 
tending for at every hazard. He encouraged his army by tell- 
ing them that they had strong reason to expect substantial aid 
from France. 



" Every motive, therefore," said he, " irresistibly urges us, 
nay, commands us, to a firm and manly perseverance in our 
opposition to our cruel oppressors — to slight difficulties, to 
endure hardships, and continue every danger." 

He then proceeded to state the motives impelling him to 
make his winter encampment at Valley Forge: 

" The General ardently wishes it were now in his power 
to conduct the troops into the best winter quarters ; but where 
are they to be found ? Should we retire to the interior of the 
State, we should find it crowded with virtuous citizens, who, 
sacrificing their all, have left Philadelphia and fled hither for 
protection ; to their distress humanity forbids us to add. This 
is not all. We should leave a vast extent of country to be 
despoiled and ravaged by the enemy, from which they would 
draw vast supplies, and where many of our firm friends would 
be exposed to all the miseries of an insulting and wanton depre- 
dation. A train of evils might be enumerated, but these will 
suffice. These considerations make it indispensably necessary 
for the army to take such a position as will enable it most effec- 
tually to prevent distress, and give the most extensive security ; 
and in that position we must make ourselves the best shelter in 
our power. With alacrity and diligence, huts may be erected 
that will be warm and dry. In these the troops will be compact, 
and more secure against surprise than if divided, and at hand 
to protect the country. These cogent reasons have determined 
the General to take the post in the neighborhood of this camp, 
and influenced by them, he persuades himself that the officers 
and soldiers, with one heart and one mind, will resolve to sur- 
mount every difficulty with a fortitude and patience becoming 
their profession and the sacred cause in which they are en- 
gaged." 

On December 19, 1777, the army went into camp at Valley 

Forge, and what it sufifered between that date and June 19, 
1778, when it started out to re-enter Philadelphia, the world 

knows. 



Threescore years ago there stood on the historic camp- 
ground a quaint, old-fashioned school-house, and among the 
children who received their rudiments of education there were 
a fair-haired, blue-eyed lad of eleven years and a girl of seven. 
The boy with the bright and handsome face was John Thropp, 
and the girl was his sister Mary. 

John, although a manly, active boy, and leader among his 
comrades in every kind of sport, loved most to talk to his little 
sister Mary about Washington and his army and what a great 
thing it was to be going over the very ground where they had 
camped out all through the dreadful winter of 1777 and 1778, 
and suffered and died to set us free. John was little iSIary's 
oracle; she drank in his every word, and unquestioningly fol- 
lowed his lead everywhere ; and any day the two children 
might be seen at noon on the Camp Ground, he in pointed 
paper cap, resplendent with bright-red streamers, beating a 
drum, and hurrahing occasionally ; she in paper cap, also bril- 
liant with scarlet ribbons, a stick over her shoulder for a gun, 
waving a small flag and in her childish treble mingling her 
voice with his hurrahing for their country. The boy person- 
ated General Washington ; the little sister the Revolutionary 
Army. 

Their father, Isaiah Thropp, was an enthusiast, and had 
early taught his children to love and be proud of their native 
land, and had often taken them over the Encampment Grounds, 
along the line of fortifications, to the forts, redoubts and earth- 
works occupied by the Revolutionary Army from December 19, 
1777, to June 19, 1778. He taught them that this Encamp- 
ment Ground was sacred soil, the birthplace of American 
Freedom; and his children, trained in the traditions of the 
patriots, were not unworthy of them. 

It was not strange, then, that one of these children, the 
gentle Mar}-, with the rich intellectual endowment which she 
received, and with her inspiring childhood associations with 
the place, should eventually exert a powerful influence in 

6 



arousing the public appreciation of the great sacrifice of the 
immortal dead of Valley Forge, which resulted in the creation 
of a State Reservation embracing a portion of the historic 
camp ground. 

Her ancestors were among the pioneers of the Schuylkill 
Valley, and their lives are interwoven with the most cherished 
traditions of the region. Her father, Isaiah Thropp, gave the 
ground for the Methodist Church at Valley Forge, and contrib- 
uted generously to the erection of the house of worship. 
There her grandfather, John Workizer, gave the ground for 
the old Baptist Church at Valley Forge. Her great grand- 
parents, Christian and Margaretta Workizer, gave for church 
and educational purposes the ground on which the Old Eagle 
School-house at Strafford Station stands. She herself once, 
by the use of her pen, saved from destruction the venerable 
Lutheran Church which stands near the modem one at Trappe. 
At Howellville and Valley Forge are still standing the sub- 
stantial stone houses which witnessed the vicissitudes of these 
families for six generations. A newspaper article published in 
1901, said: " It is pathetic to think that these fine old homes, 
with their tender memories and historic associations, should 
have passed into the possession of strangers, and they who lived 
and loved and joyed and sorrowed there during a period of 
one hundred and nearly forty years will return to their old 
familiar haunts never again, and their accustomed places will 
know them no more forever." 

It is for the purpose of perpetuating the memories of some 
of these pioneers and their descendants, and of reviving some 
of the inspiring traditions of this storied region, that the fol- 
lowing very inadequate pages have been prepared by the hand 
of a distant but admirinsf kinsman. 



'fc> 



EDWARD PAYSON CONE.* 
New York, 1904. 



Mr. Cone died in the city of New York, Jannary 23, 1905. 

7 



THE WORKIZER FAMILY 




OLONEL CHRISTIAN WORKIZER, the pio- 
neer ancestor of the Workizer family in America, 
was a highly educated German who entered the 
English Army as lieutenant, at Ashaffenburg, in 
1743, when George II. was fighting in Germany. 
He subsequently rose to the rank of colonel, and 
came to Canada with General Wolfe, in 1758. He 
was an aide-de-camp to Wolfe and participated in 
the latter's famous triumph at Quebec. After the capture 
of Quebec, Colonel Workizer retired from the British Army, 
and married soon after Margaretta Girardin, a daughter of 
Jacob Girardin. (This name is anglicized Shirardin and often 
spelled Sheridan, Sharraden and Sharraton.) 

In 1764, Colonel Workizer, his father-in-law, and their 
families, together with some French and German Reformers, 
came from Canada to Tredyffrin township, Chester County, 
Pa., and settled there to have the right to worship God accord- 
ing to the dictates of their consciences. 

Jacob Shirardin bought one hundred and fifty acres near 
Strafford Station, Pennsylvania Railroad, March 16, 1765. 
and on this tract, which he sold to Colonel Workizer March 
29, 1767, is located the Old Eagle School-house property, 
comprising two acres, which was given to the public by Colonel 
Christian Workizer and his wife, Margaretta Girardin Work- 
izer, for religious, educational and burial purposes. (See page 
12 for further partculars about the Old Eagle School.) 

The Lutherans of the Trappe Church, Montgomery County, 
held friendly and spiritual relations with this infant colony. 

Colonel Workizer having sworn fealty to the British crown, 
as an officer, and being truly attached to his late commander, 
remained strictly neutral during the war of the Revolution. 




BIRTHPLACE OF MRS. ANNA VIRGINIA WORKIZER THROPP, 
AT HOWELLVILLE. CHESTER CO., PA. 




HOME AT HOWELLVILLE, IN WHICH MRS. ANNA VIRGINIA WORKIZER 

THROPP SPENT HER INFANCY, OWNED BY HER FATHER, JOHN 

WORKIZER, UNTIL HIS DEATH, WHEN HE BEQUEATHED IT 

TO HIS ONLY SON. JOHN SHERIDAN WORKIZER. 



Mrs. Workizer was a woman of great strength of character 
and resolution of purpose. During the Revolution, when the 
British occupied Philadelphia, she walked all the way from 
Howellville to her brother's home in Philadelphia and returned 
with medicine, stationery, etc., in her pockets underneath her 
dress, having successfully eluded the British sentinels at their 
outposts. She died February 4, 1805, and lies buried in the 
Old Eagle School burying ground at Strafford Station, on the 
Pennsylvania Railroad, Chester County. Upon her tomb- 
stone is the following inscription in an excellent state of pres- 
ervation : 

IN MEMORY OF 

MARGARETTA WORKIZER, 
Consort of Christian Workizer, 

WHO departed this life FEB. 4, 1805, 
IN THE 55TH YEAR OF HER AGE. 

" Verses on tombstones 
Are but idly spent. 
The living character 
Is the monument." 

Mrs. Workizer's brother, Abraham Girardin, was an ex- 
tensive land owner, having bought property in and around 
Philadelphia, Pittsburg and Erie. Part of his Philadelphia 
property was called Shirardin's Bridge, or the " Floating 
Ferry " at Fairmount. On April 27, 1779, he was married by 
Rev. Henry Muhlenberg, at Pikeland, to Miss Barbara Snyder, 
a relative of Governor Snyder. 

Colonel Workizer had six children : John, Jacob and Mary, 
the dates of whose births are lacking; and Margaretta, born 
1782, died 1839 ; Elizabeth, born 1774, died August 8, 1833 ; 
Priscilla, born 1776, died July 24, 1833. 

All were born at or near Howellville, the hotel of that 
village having been the second homestead of the Workizer 
family. 

One of the daughters, Margaretta (reported to be a belle 
in her day), married George Norman, who, accompanied by 
his wife, two of her sisters, and some of Governor Snyder's 
family (their relatives), removed about 1820 to the vicinity 



of Cincinnati. Mr. Norman bought 400 acres of the Little 
Miami bottom lands, and built thereon his family homestead, 
where some of Colonel Christian Workizer's descendants still 
reside. 

General Washington, with his customary affability, had 
often noticed the Workizer boys (John and Jacob) when he 
encountered them, and John Workizer loved to recall the 
General as he remembered him, descanting with enthusiasm 
on the imposing figure and the grand face of the world's hero. 

Jacob Workizer was a fine Latin and German scholar and 
wrote for the Philadelphia press. He died young. 

John Workizer inherited Howellville from his father, but, 
after a short residence there, he moved to Valley Forge, Ches- 
ter County, Pa., purchasing considerable land in and around 
the village. The house that he occupied is now the Valley 
Forge Inn. He was a cultivated musician, and had a fine 
voice. He kept a singing school at his house for the benefit 
of the young people of the neighborhood and taught them all 
gratuitously. He gave the ground for the Baptist Church at 
Valley Forge and helped to build it, aided by his son-in-law, 
Isaiah Thropp. 

He was twice married. His first wife was Mary Turner, 
daughter of a prosperous farmer, whom he wedded April 20, 
1800. The commodious old home of the Turner family is 
still standing near Spring City, Pa. Mrs. Workizer died 
February 10, 181 1, at the age of 30 years, having been the 
mother of four daughters : 

1. Eloisa, married Nathan Morey; their descendants reside 
near Spring City, Pa. 

2. Matilda, married William Lewis ; they had a large 
family of children, some of whom are now living in Phila- 
delphia. 

3. Rebecca, married Joseph E. Anderson, of Schuylkill 
township, Chester County. They had a large family. 

4. Anna Virginia, was a young lady of remarkable beauty 
and intelligence. Her father educated this daughter to be his 
amanuensis in business, and there are many deeds, contracts, 
and other documents still extant, written not only for her 
father, but gratuitously for the neighboring farmers, in the 
clear, beautiful penmanship of this superior woman. It was 
said by one who knew her well " The memory of such a 



10 




RUINS OF THE OLD BAPTIST MEETING HOUSE, 
VALLEV FORGE, PA., IN l88S. 

(ground DONATED DY JOHN WORKIZER.) 




OLD METHODIST CHURCH, VALLEY FORGE. 
(GROL'ND DONATED BY ISAIAH THROPP.) 



mother is a precious legacy to her children." She married 
Isaiah Thropp. (See page i6.) 

John Workizer married secondly Sarah Rooke, by whom he 
had two more children : 

5. John Shirardin. 

6. Tamson Amelia, married Joseph Pennypacker, and died 
young, leaving one child, Uriah Galusha, who distinguished 
himself in the Civil War. For his bravery at Fort Fisher, 
he was made Major General of Volunteers. Shortly after the 
loss of his wife, Mr. Pennypacker went to California. After 
Mrs. Pennypacker's death, her property at Valley Forge was 
sold out of the Workizer family. 

John Workizer died suddenly June 29, 1838. Excusing 
himself and apparently well, he left his family at the dinner 
table and went to his accustomed seat in the back parlor by the 
window, where, on a stand in front of him, lay his open Bible 
and hymn book, and began to sing " Life is the time to 
serve the Lord." He had reached the second verse when his 
voice faltered and broke. His daughter, Tamson Amelia, be- 
coming alarmed, went to him immediately. He was sitting 
upright in his chair, but his spirit had fled. 

He left the bulk of his property to his two children by his 
second wife. He left his valuable Howellville property to 
John Shirardin, who sold his inheritance and moved, with his 
large family of children, to the far West. To Tamson Amelia 
he left his estate at Valley Forge. 



II 




THE OLD EAGLE SCHOOL 

UST north of Strafford Station on the Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad, in the township of Tredyffrin, 
Chester County, Pa., stands a quaint and vener- 
able-looking stone structure, one story high, with 
three windows on each side and a little Colonial 
porch, flanked by two windows on one end. High 
up in the wall of the southern gable end is a stone 
bearing the date " 1788." This curious little 
building, which rests with such an air of peace and permanency 
amid a grove of old trees, is known as the Old Eagle School. 
But suggestive more of a church than a school is the adjacent 
little graveyard, in which repose the remains of pioneer settlers 
of that region and heroes of the Revolution. Over one of these 
graves stands a stone, bearing the following inscription : 



IN MEMORY OF 

MARGARETTA WORKIZER, 
Consort of Christian Workizer, 

WHO departed this life FEB. 4, 1805, 
IN THE 55TH year of HER AGE. 

" Verses on tombstones 
Are but idly spent. 
The living character 
Is the monument." 



Another monument to the memorv of the Workizers is the 
property upon which the cemetery and Old Eagle School are 
located. 

As stated on another page (8), Christian Workizer, a 
highly educated German, Colonel in the English Army and 
aide-de-camp to Wolfe at the capture of Quebec, and Marga- 
retta Girardin, his wife, were pioneer settlers in Tredyffrin 
township, having come there from Canada in 1764, at the 
close of the French and Indian War. With them came also 
Mrs. Workizer's father, Jacob Girardin. The names Work- 
izer and Girardin, like many other names of the period, were 
variously spelled. Workizer often appears as Werkheiser; 

12 



and Girardin appears as Sharraton and Sharraden, from which 
also comes the name Sheridan anglicized. 

On March i6, 1765, Jacob Girardin bought 150 acres near 
what is now Strafford Station, and on March 29, 1767, sold 
a portion to his son-in-law, Colonel Workizer. 

The Girardins and Workizers came to the colony of Penn- 
sylvania to enjoy religious freedom, and their benevolent in- 
stincts found expression in acts of public spirit. Among such 
acts was the creation of a public trust by Colonel Workizer 
and his wife Margaretta shortly before the Revolution (about 
1770) by the donation of about two acres of this land for " the 
general use and good of the neighborhood for religious, edu- 
cational and burial p'urposes." Unfortunately the deed was 
not recorded and the original was lost, entailing a great deal of 
litigation in later years. 

A few miles from this property, in the village of Trappe, 
stands the Old Trappe Church, built under German Lutheran 
auspices in 1734. Spiritual relations were sustained between 
this ancient church and the community in Tredyffrin town- 
ship, resulting in the erection of a log church on the property 
given by the Workizers near the site of the Old Eagle School. 
The old log church was demolished about 1805. Close by it, 
in 1788, was erected the larger part of the stone building now 
standing, gnd known as the Old Eagle School. This was 
effected through the charitable disposition and cooperation of 
the neighbors, including William Siter the elder, Robert Ken- 
nedy (then landlord of the Unicorn Tavern), and John Pugh 
the elder, all of Radnor; Jacob and Rudolph Huzzard, of 
Tredyffrin ; and probably Robert Grover, of Tredyffrin. 

As a typical pioneer school-house of Pennsylvania, some 
details of its original aspect are of interest. It was a little 
more than half the size of the present building. The chimney 
gable end faced the northwest, and the entrance was through 
double doors in the southwest side facing the thoroughfare. 
The road then ran nearer the building than now. At the left 
of the entrance was a narrow window and at the right a wide 
window. Under the latter was a low entrance into the cellar, 
where fire-wood was stored. There were two windows in the 
southeast end and two in the northeast side. There were no 
outside shutters, and the unglazed sashes slid sideways on the 
inside. A long wooden bolt, slipped into place by a crooked 

13 



piece of iron, fastened the doors. The interior walls were origi- 
nally devoid of plaster. The building was heated at first by the 
open fireplace, and later by a " ten-plate " stove. The benches, 
composed of rough slabs still adorned with bark and supported 
by wooden legs driven through auger holes, were arranged in 
double rows around three sides of the room. By the fireplace 
on the fourth side was the master's desk, with his instruments 
of education and correction. 

Although the little log building first erected on this prop- 
erty was used for religious purposes, its successor appears 
first to have been used as a school-house — a transition which 
was not made without considerable objection, however. After 
years of use as a temple of learning, it fell into such a state of 
dilapidation that for a while it was closed. In 1835, however, 
public interest was aroused in the charity and the building was 
renovated and almost doubled in size by the addition of the 
southeastern end. At that time, the old door was walled up, 
and the present entrance built in the southeast end. The im- 
provement was made largely at the expense of the Public 
School Board, and within twenty years the control of the 
building passed from the board of trustees who had managed 
it since the creation of the trust by the Workizers to the Public 
School Board. 

Meanwhile, the building was used on Sundays for religious 
purposes. About 1845, some of the parishioners of St. David's 
Episcopal Church, at Radnor, who lived near Eagle Station, 
finding the distance to St. David's inconvenient, proposed in- 
stituting Episcopal services in the Old Eagle School House, 
but were met by the Baptists who claimed that they had prior 
rights there. The deed, which appears to have been in ex- 
istence then, was produced to prove that the property was de- 
voted to the use of all denominations, and so the Episcopalians 
secured a foothold. For years Episcopal services were held 
there, and a Sunday school was organized. But through a 
division of interest in the effort to raise funds for an exclu- 
sively Episcopal chapel of St. David's, and the removal of 
Episcopalians, the services of that denomination became poorly 
attended, the Sunday school waned, and the relationship with 
St. David's weakened. 

Such was the situation when, in 1872, the Public School 
Board, having built a new school at Pechin's Corner, about a 

14 



quarter of a mile to the northwestward, surrendered the key 
of the old building to the little Union Sunday School then hold- 
ing services there. 

From this time on, the building had a picturesque career. 
In 1874, a colored man secured possession upon terms with 
the Sunday school people by which he was to care for the 
graveyard. Then followed a couple of years of litigation, 
resulting from an ejectment suit brought by indignant citizens. 
The suit was successful ; the colored occupant was evicted, and 
the School Board persuaded to resume the custody. The loss 
of the old deed was a sore one to those who desired to main- 
tain the property for the purposes named in the original trust, 
and led to all sorts of views and complications as to procedure 
and possession. In 1876 the School Board made a petition to 
court asking to be allowed to sell the property. In 1877 this 
was withdrawn and a new petition presented to a similar in- 
tent. Sixty residents remonstrated, and that petition was 
withdrawn. The School Board then rented the building to a 
well-known local character, refusing the applications for per- 
mision to re-establish a Sunday school there. 

So things ran along for thirteen or fourteen years, the 
building falling into a deplorable state of neglect. In 1880, a 
new public road was laid out through the property, for which 
no damages were awarded, and in March, 189 1, the School 
Board sold about twenty-three perches of the property lying 
west of the new road. 

This last act of dismemberment was too much for an in- 
dignant public sentiment, and in June, 1891, John B. Invester, 
the only surviving trustee of the old regime, then in his 93d 
year, filed a petition in the Court of Common Pleas of Chester 
County, asking for the appointment of four trustees who, with 
himself, were to take charge of the property in accordance 
with the original trust " for the good of the neighborhood, for 
religious, educational and burial purposes." The legal fight 
went on for four years, stubbornly contested on both sides, 
step by step. At length, the friends of the trust won, and on 
May 6, 1895, five trustees were appointed and the spirit of the 
original gift by Jacob and Margaretta Workizer revived. 

The trustees so appointed organized at once and appealed 
to the public for subscriptions to renovate the building. The 
entire neighborhood became united in support of the old 

IS 



charity ; their financial response was generous ; and the vener- 
able structure was thoroughly repaired and restored. 



THE THROPP FAMILY 




SAIAH THROPP was an Englishman, having 
been born in Wednesbury, a suburb of Birming- 
ham, England, July 6, 1794; he was the son of 
John Thropp and Sarah, sister of Sir William 
Wood. 

At the age of twenty-two he came to America, 
settling at Valley Forge, Chester County, Pa. He 
married Anna Virginia, youngest daughter of 
John Workizer by his first wife. He was engaged in a store 
belonging to his father-in-law, which he purchased, and con- 
tinued in business for fifty years in the one building. During 
the whole of that time he was honored and respected by all 
who knew him for his fair dealing, sincerity and great con- 
scientiousness. He gave the ground for the Methodist Church 
at Valley Forge, and contributed liberally to the erection of 
the church itself. 

Mr. Thropp died November 2, 1871, and was buried in the 
Morris Cemetery, at Phoenixville. 

Some idea of the high esteem in which he was held can be 
formed from the following notice in the Philadelphia Press, 
on his retiring from business : 

" The oldest inhabitant of Valley Forge, Isaiah Thropp, 
has retired from business. In this age of fast, fickle men, it 
is really refreshing to turn to the record of such a man as Mr. 
Thropp. For half a century he has kept his store at Valley 
Forge, the stand-by of the place, steadfast and true as his own 
hills. Integrity, firmness, and industry have been the weights 
of his character, and the crowning glory of all good men, the 
testimony of a clear conscience." 

Mr. and Mrs. Isaiah Thropp were the parents of eleven 
children, all bom at Valley Forge: 



16 







WAYSIDE, RESIDENCE OF ISAIAH THROPP. 
VALLEY FORGE, PA. 




RESIDENCE OF MRS. MARY" E. THROPP CONE, 
OIL CITY, PA. 



1. John Wellington Thropp, died early in manhood. He 
was proficient in mathematics and botany. He died the 20th 
of September, 1856. 

2. Mary E., married Andrew Cone, A biographical sketch 
of her is given on page 2,^, and of her nusband on page 19. 

3. Sarah Ann died in infancy and was buried in the old 
Eagle School graveyard. 

4. Isaiah served his country as one of the courageous 
Pennsylvania Reserves in the War for the Union for three 
years, part of which time he was detailed for special service 
on the staff of General McCall. He was a brave soldier and 
now resides at Linconia, Va. 

5. Anna Virginia, married Lewis S. Wells, attorney-at- 
law, formerly of Norristown, Pa., now of Washington, D. C. 
In 1901, their son, Isaiah Thropp Wells, a handsome and gifted 
youth, was drowned in the Potomac River under circumstances 
which revealed his bravery and the unselfishness of his charac- 
ter. Though not yet twenty-one, he was a Congressional 
reporter. On Memorial Day he went out for a sail on the 
river, accompanied by two companions. A squall came up 
suddenly, and their light boat was upset. The sail, in falling, 
struck him upon the right shoulder, breaking the bone. He 
urged his companions, who could not swim, to cling to the 
boat, and, fearing that his additional weight would sink it, he 
struck boldly out for the shore. He did not tell them of the 
accident, but insisted on their holding on to the boat till he 
could get assistance for them. They were saved, but just as 
he was nearing the shore he fainted from the pain of his dis- 
abled shoulder and sank to rise no more, thus sacrificing his 
life for his friends. 

6. Amelia began to write in childhood. She has written 
extensively for the Philadelphia, Boston, New York and 
Southern periodicals. Although possessed of fine poetical 
ability, she has chosen to cultivate her gift as a writer of 
prose. She visited her sister, Mrs. Cone, whilst the latter 
resided at the Consulate at Pernambuco, Brazil, and while 
there wrote a series of articles entitled " Brazil Papers," which 
were published in a Philadelphia journal, and were exten- 
sively copied throughout the country. She has a keen sense of 
humor and is an easy, graceful and beautiful writer. She 
makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Cone, at Oil City. 

17 



7- Jennie M., married G. C. Rogers, a prominent merchant 
of Atlanta, Ga. Both she and her husband have passed away. 
They are survived by three children, George Charles, Amelia 
Virginia, and Jennie R. Rogers, who reside at Atlanta, Ga. 

8. Charles A. was a well-known oil producer, residing near 
Bradford, McKean County, Pa. He died May 2, 1902. 

9. Katherine R., married at an early age George Porter, 
who is connected with the Standard Oil Company. He is an 
honorable gentleman and highly esteemed by all who know 
him. His home is at Pittsburg, Pa. Mrs. Porter is a writer 
of both prose and poetry, but she generally excels in the latter. 
They have two daughters, Katherine Amelia and Caroline 
Virginia, who inherit much of their mother's literary ability. 

10. Eldon L. was associated with his brother Charles in the 
oil business. He died March 31, 1895, at Fullerton, McKean 
County, Pa. 

11. Joseph E. is owner of Everett Iron Furnace, at Everett, 
Bedford County, Pa. His wife is the eldest daughter of the 
late Colonel Thomas A. Scott, President of the Pennsylvania 
Railroad and Assistant Secretary of War under Stanton. 
Joseph E. was born at Valley Forge, where his father was the 
owner of a farm, store and factory. He was educated at the 
Grammar School of Philadelphia until thirteen years of age 
and then prepared for college at the Friends' Central High 
School, Philadelphia.. Later he graduated as a civil engineer 
from the Pennsylvania Polytechnic College, and soon after 
went West and entered the service of one of the Minnesota 
railway companies and, thour^h the youngest civil engineer on 
the line, he rapidly rose to t)>e rank of Division Engineer. 
Upon the death of his mother in 1869, he moved East and en- 
tered the iron business of J. B. Moorhead & Co., in the Schuyl- 
kill Valley. Within eighteen months he was offered a position 
as partner in the firm by which he was employed. Three years 
of excessive work impaired his health and he went abroad 
upon his physician's advice for rest. Upon his return he was 
asked to be Republican candidate for State Senator and later 
for Congress, both of which positions he declined. A few years 
later he was again asked to run for Congress, but again de- 
clined. In 1882 he yielded to the persuasions of his friends 
and stood for the nomination from the Twentieth Pennsyl- 
vania District, being the youngest candidate before the conven- 

18 




MRS. KATHARINE R. THROPP PORTER. 



tion. Although a majority of the delegates voted for him on 
different ballots, he did not receive a majority on any one 
ballot, and failed to receive the nomination by a combination 
of the older candidates. In 1898, however, he was nominated 
and elected to the Fifty-sixth Congress, and served with dis- 
tinguished ability for two years from March 4, 1899. He is 
owner of the large blast furnaces at Everett, Bedford County, 
Pa., and of the coal and coke works at Kearney, together with 
the quarry and ore mines. 



HON. ANDREW CONE 




IGA TOWNSHIP, in the County of Monroe, and 
the State of New York, was the native place of 
Andrew Cone, the husband of Mary E. Thropp. 
There he was born on the seventh day of August, 
1822. He died in 1880. Cone is said to be a con- 
traction of the Gaelic name for Colquhoun, a 
Highland clan. 

His father, Andrew G. Cone, was of Scottish 
descent, and was born in Bennington, Vermont, in 1795. He 
was the first and only child by his father's first marriage, and 
in the turn of events, as he grew to the years of manhood, 
had to become the main dependence of his father's family. 
The earlier part of his life was spent amid the sterile hills 
of the Green Mountains, enduring the hardships and trials 
of New England life. He took part as a private soldier in 
the war of 181 2. In the spring of the year 181 6, at the age 
of twenty-one years, in order to try to better the condition 
of himself and his fathers family, he took his knapsack on his 
back and traveled on foot through the wilderness into Western 
New York, crossing the Genesee River on an old log bridge, 
where the flourishing city of Rochester now stands. The only 
appearance of a city then existing was a log mill, two or three 
log houses and a log school-house. 

10 



The land being all a swamp and marsh, he thought that it 
would not suit him, as he had left the sterile soil of the Green 
Mountains to find a place where he could raise wheat. He 
therefore passed by one of Nature's rich gifts to man and took 
up 300 acres of Government land in the township of Wheat- 
land. There he spent the summer in clearing a small piece of 
the land and building a log house. 

In the fall of the same year he returned to Vermont, and 
spent the winter in aiding his father in disposing of his land 
and effects, preparatory to emigrating to the new home in the 
West. 

In the spring following, with oxen and wagon, he took his 
father's family, bidding farewell to the home of his childhood, 
and wended his way to the more fertile land and home pre- 
pared for them. There he labored some two years clearing 
and cultivating the land. His father dying, and as the land 
had been taken up in his father's name, he deemed it advisable 
to sell the farm and make a division amongst the heirs, he being- 
executor of the estate, a duty which he performed, paying each 
of his five brothers and three sisters their portion with interest 
as they became of age, and taking care of his step-mother 
during her life. 

After selling the land in Wheatland, he went into the town- 
ship of Riga, some three miles distant, and took up three hun- 
dred acres of Government land in his own name, and made the 
beginning of a new home. To this hom.e he took as his wife 
Miss Polly L. Andrews, and there, amid the hardships of 
pioneer life, they changed the forest into the cultivated field, 
and there they spent the remainder of their days enjoying the 
fruits of their labor. 

He was always identified with the Whig and Republican 
parties, but never sought or accepted office, preferring the 
quiet of home life. He always believed honesty to be the best 
policy, and so strictly did he adhere to it that his neighbors 
and all who knew him considered his word as good as his 
bond. 

He was always interested in all neighborhood and town- 
ship matters which had for their object the best good of all, 
and closely identified himself with the organization and build- 
ing up of the Wheatland Baptist Church, of which he was an 
active member until the Master called him, in the year 1847, 



20 




HON. JOSEPH E. THROPP. 



at the age of 62 years, to a higher seat in the Church Trium- 
phant. 

He was always prompt to time in meeting appointments, 
faithful in duty, and always in his place. The pastor of the 
church at the time of his death took for the text of his funeral 
sermon the twentieth verse of the seventy-second Psalm: 
*' The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended." He said 
he always knew when he went to the appointments of the 
church whom he would meet; one was Brother Cone. He 
was always in his place at the appointed time, ready for duty, 
unless he was sick or absent from home; a true type of a 
Christian man, worth his weight in gold to the church. 

In the summer of 1846, he decided to visit once more his 
native place, from which he had been absent forty years. The 
changes had been so great during these years that he found 
very little pleasure in the visit, but accomplished one object, 
the erection of a tombstone at his mother's grave. This was 
the year previous to his death. 

Andrew Cone's mother. Miss Polly L. Andrews, was a 
native of New Britain, Conn. She was of English descent, 
coming from one of the twelve families of Andrews mentioned 
in the Encyclopedia of British Heraldry, of note, bearing 
escutcheons in England. Her father, Nathaniel Andrews, 
entered the Revolutionary Army at the age of sixteen, and 
continued with it until its close. His youth and the earlier 
part of his manhood were spent in a New England home, but 
in after years he emigrated with his family to Oneida County, 
State of New York, where he was largely interested in agri- 
culture. 

Subsequently Miss Andrews, while on a visit to relatives 
in the western part of the State, met Andrew G. Cone and 
became Mrs. Polly L, Cone. She, like her husband, was the 
first and only child by her father's first marriage. She was 
trained like all New England girls in the various labors of the 
household and to be self-reliant when called into the active 
duties of life. She was raised a Presbyterian, but after her 
marriage united with the Wheatland Baptist Church, and be- 
came closely identified with her husband in the promotion 
of religion, industry and education, and in the temporal and 
spiritual interests of their two sons, the youngest of which was 
Andrew Cone. She was ever ready to give a helping hand 



21 



to the promotion of interests which had for their object the 
elevation of those by whom she was surrounded, and the 
spread of knowledge and intelligence in the community, visit- 
ing the sick and ministering to the wants of the needy. Her 
quiet evenness of disposition and integrity of principle won 
the hearts and commanded the respect of all who knew her. 
She was a sufferer from disease for many years in the latter 
part of her life, and died in the year 1848, at the age of 62 
years, as she had lived, a sincere and faithful Christian. 

From the training of such parents it is easy to form an 
impression of the character of Andrew Cone. He was born 
as above stated, and passed through all the incidents of farm 
and country life in his boyhood associations. He received 
a common school education and training to agricultural life, 
and later on spent a few terms in the winter in the Middleburg 
Academy, Wyoming County, New York. His brother. Dr. 
Edward A. Cone, being delicate in constitution, rolled the 
lion's share of all duties and responsibilities incident to the 
years of their minority upon the shoulders of his younger 
brother Andrew. In the year 1843, at the age of 21 years, at 
the request of his parents, who made to him a warranty deed 
of the farm and transfer of all the personal property belonging 
thereto, he took upon himself the responsibility and manage- 
ment of the farm and the support of his father and mother. 
He paid his brother his portion of the estate, giving to his 
parents a life lease in the property for their maintenance, and 
security to his brother for his portion. 

On April 11, 1844, Mr. Cone was married to Miss Mary E. 
Hebbard, a native of Frederick County, Maryland, whose father 
was a native of Connecticut and of English descent, and whose 
mother was a native of Maryland, of English and German 
descent. He managed the farm and successfully met the 
responsibilities placed upon him, paying his brother his portion 
and taking care of his parents until their death. 

In October, 1854, he removed from Maryland to Michigan, 
engaging with his brother (who was then largely engaged in the 
practice of medicine in the village of Millford, Oakland 
County) in the drug, medicine and grocery business. 

In the month of April, 1858, his wife died, leaving one 
daughter in her thirteenth year. 



22 



On June 22, 1859, he married Miss Belinda S. Morse, of 
Eaton, Madison County, N. Y., and took her to his home in 
Michigan. 

In the summer of 1861, the country being in distress and 
wanting men to come to the rehef, he enlisted for the war, 
feeling that his life was but little use now, and if it could be 
of any service in saving the Republic from the rebellious hands 
outstretched for its destruction, it should be given, a willing 
sacrifice; but when the time came for medical examination 
he was not able to pass the legal requirements then made, 
being troubled somewhat with the asthma. Not willing, how- 
ever, to submit to one defeat, he enlisted again in the autumn 
and went into camp two weeks at Detroit, but again failed to 
pass the medical examination. 

In February, 1862, he went to the oil regions of Pennsyl- 
vania, taking up his residence in Oil City, then a town in its in- 
fancy, as was also the petroleum oil business. In April, 1862, he 
made the first full and complete report of the number, depth 
and production of wells drilled, their localities, etc., which 
report was incorporated into the United States commercial 
reports by the Bureau of Statistics. He then went into a 
mercantile house as clerk, where he spent the first year of the 
new struggle. He next assumed the superintendence of ex- 
tensive oil interests, at a greatly increased salary. This position 
he held for two years, during which time he improved his 
financial condition by the savings from his salary and some 
small speculations on his own account. During this time he 
passed through the wildest speculative excitement known in 
the petroleum oil business. In the spring of 1865 he left the 
company and spent the next year in operating some on his own 
account; at the same time gathering and preparing material 
for the publication of a history of the petroleum business, and 
the territory from which it was produced. Before this work 
was completed, in May, 1866, he was offered and accepted the 
general superintendence of the extensive interests of the 
United Petroleum Farms Association and the Hoffman 
Petroleum Company, at a salary commensurate with the im- 
portance of the interests, which was another lift on the road to 
prosperity. In the fall of 1866, having acquired an interest 
in the Oil City and Petroleum Bridge across the Allegheny 
River, he was elected the treasurer and secretary of the cor- 

23 



poration. These responsibilities added to his labors, already 
burdensome, but were borne because the compensation brought 
the feeling that past misfortunes were fast being overcome. 
But other disappointments were lying in wait for him. His 
wife sickened, and after a long illness died, in February, 1867, 
leaving two young daughters to his care. In the meantime, 
the three papers of the city were bought and merged by a 
company of which Mr. Cone was one, and of which he was 
made the secretary and treasurer. In less than a year he 
found himself, through another combination of circumstances, 
the entire owner of the property, and two years later sold it 
for a handsome profit on the purchase. His next speculation 
was in the book business, which, in consequence of his many 
other interests and responsibilities, he was obliged to leave 
to the tender mercies of others, and it proved a failure, consum- 
ing all his profits in the printing business. 

In the meantime, having made the acquaintance of Miss 
Mary E. Thropp, of Philadelphia, they were married October 
I, 1868, and went to his home in Oil City, Mr. Cone con- 
tinued the general superintendence of the oil companies four 
years, when, in consequence of having overtaxed his constitu- 
tion, he was obliged, by failing health, to resign his position 
on the 1st of May, 1870, but by the request of the president 
and directors of the company he remained with them until 
August, to get their new superintendent fully initiated. The 
following two months, accompanied by his wife, he spent in 
travel, taking a trip through the northern lakes and western 
rivers, etc. 

Mr, Cone continued to be secretary and treasurer of the 
Bridge Company, and in the spring of 1872, he was one of 
the originators of the Dollar Savings Bank of Oil City, of 
which he was vice-president; also one of the originators of 
the Workingmen's Building and Loan Association, at about the 
same time, of which association he was a director. 

Early in 1873 ^^ was appointed by General John F. Hart- 
ranft, then Governor of the State of Pennsylvania, a commis- 
sioner to represent the western part of the State at the Vienna 
World's Exposition. Accordingly, accompanied by his wife, 
on the 226. of May, he cut loose from the shore of his native 
land, on board of the steamship Pennsylvania, the first of the 
new American Line, and set sail for Europe. Landing at 

24 



Queenstown, they visited the historic scenes of Ireland, Scot- 
land, England, France and Germany, on their journey to 
Vienna. Returning via Southern Austria, Italy, Switzerland, 
France and England, they arrived at home in Oil City in the 
latter part of October, having seen and enjoyed much on the 
journey. 

Mr. Cone was the means of getting a cemetery for Oil City, 
and other substantial improvements. From its first organiza- 
tion, he was warmly identified with the interests of Oil City, 
filling at different times the position of councilman and other 
positions of trust and responsibility, passing through its vari- 
ous stages from a town with a few board houses and oil sheds 
to a city of 10,000 inhabitants, with paved streets, splendid busi- 
ness and dwelling houses and fine churches. He was from the 
commencement deeply interested in the church, Sabbath school 
and common school organizations, and other institutions 
which were for the best good of the moral and religious in- 
terests of the city. He organized a lodge of Good Templars, 
of which he was the first Worthy Chief, and passed through 
the various lodge and district offices up to the position of 
Grand Worthy Marshal of the Grand Lodge of the State of 
Pennsylvania. He was one of the organizers of a lodge of the 
Temple of Honor and Temperance, of which he was the first 
Worthy Chief. 

But the one interest with which he was most strongly 
identified was the building up of a Baptist Church. At its 
organization in February. 1867, he was an organic member 
and elected one of its first Deacons. He organized and was the 
first superintendent of its Sabbath school, and had the pleasure 
of seeing it grow from sixteen members at the beginning to 
200, and the church from twenty-one at its organization (meet- 
ing in halls) to a membership of about 300, meeting in a fine 
house of worship with a large organ, and furnished in moaern 
style. 

But failing health warned him that he must leave all his 
noble work and labor of love, and the comforts of his beloved 
home, and seek a warmer climate. 

In February, 1876, he applied to President Grant and 
Secretary Fish, and received the appointment of United States 
Consul at Para, Brazil. In May of that year, accompanied 
by his wife, he left his home in Oil City for the new field of 

25 



labor, arriving at Para June 19, and immediately entered upon 
the duties of his office. Here everything was new and strange, 
a new business in a strange land and strange people and 
another language, but he soon mastered the situation, and strict 
and faithful attention to the consular service won the approval 
of the people and made a name at the Department of State, 
at Washington, as a consular officer of more than ordinary 
merit, and one marked for promotion. On July 24, 1878, he 
received the appointment by President Hayes as Consul at 
Pernambuco, being thus promoted to a more pleasant and much 
more lucrative consulate. 

When in early life, a farm boy, following the plow, he 
little thought that in the latter years of his life he would be 
representing his country in a foreign land. His first wife's 
birthday was on the 23d day of July, and she would frequently 
say: " I wonder if the 23d verse of the 31st chapter of Prov- 
erbs will prove true, that ' Her husband is known in the gates 
when he sitteth among the elders of the land.' " It so proved 
in this case, but not till long years after she had passed from 
the scenes of this life to a better land. 

Mr. Cone enjoyed considerable reputation as a writer, his 
principal work, " Petrolia," being a review of the oil specula- 
ting agitation, and a history of the oil fields of Pennsylvania. 
He died at Philadelphia, on November 7, 1880, and lies buried 
in the Mount Morris Cemetery, at Phoenix ville. Pa,, at his 
own request, in the lot of the Thropp family. 



26 




MARY E. THROPP CONE 

ARY E. THROPP CONE, eldest daughter of 
Isaiah Thropp and Anna Virginia Workizer, and 
wife of the late Hon. Andrew Cone, of Oil City, 
Pa., was born in Valley Forge. Her distinguished 
work in arousing public sentiment concern- 
ing the proper marking of Washington's encamp- 
ment at Valley Forge is entitled to more than 
passing notice. Indeed a sketch of her life is a 
sketch of the campaign which culminated successfully in the 
dedication of Valley Forge in 1903. 

It is not always that local sentiment appreciates the beauty 
or the significance of its environment. The world famous 
cataract of Niagara was not saved as a public reservation by 
local sentiment, but by the appreciation and hard work of 
those who lived at a distance. Familiarity by daily associa- 
tion with a great historical spot or object or with a sublime 
work of nature too often breeds indifference, if not the " con- 
tempt " of which the poet speaks ; but such was not the case 
with her who, from school-girlhood to womanhood, worked 
for the proper public recognition of the significance of Valley 
Forge. Mary E. Thropp seemed to have been raised up for 
the patriotic work which she performed. Her maternal an- 
cestors, the Workizers, had come to Valley Forge long before 
the sufferings of the Continental Army in the winter of 1777- 
78, that consecrated the acres of Valley Forge to the cause of 
American liberty. They came not as ordinary emigrants, but 
as gentle-folks, with cultured minds, generous hearts and pub- 
lic spirit. They bought tract after tract of land, beginning 
near Howellville and extending to Valley Forge. They 
acquired about one-third of Valley Forge. Two roomy 
old houses, built by her great-grandfather, another built by her 
grandfather and still another bought and remodeled by her 
father, are standing there to-day in an excellent state of pres- 
ervation, memorials of the rugged characters of their builders. 
By heredity, she was endowed both with exceptional mental 
qualities and with an intense love of her native place, and, 
as a child, she came into a family environment which tended 
to cultivate and increase these possessions. Her earliest mem- 

27 



ories were of the devotion of her father's family to Valley 
Forge. They constituted themselves guides for tourists, and 
entertained historical visitors. They cut canes from the re- 
doubts and flowers from the encampments, etc., and sent them 
to those who desired them as souvenirs. They also sent all 
their revolutionary relics, including a number of cannon-balls, 
etc., which were procured through considerable effort and ex- 
pense, to the Sanitary Fair in Philadelphia during the Civil 
War to be exhibited for the benefit of the soldiers, and, it may 
be mentioned incidentally, never received them back again. 

It was with ideas born of such surroundings that she went 
to a boarding school in Philadelphia, where she developed 
great literary ability. With an intense love of her home and 
her country, and pained by what she regarded as the indiffer- 
ence of the public to the sacred character of Valley Forge, she 
felt constrained to use her pen to arouse a different state of 
feeling, her inspiration often taking the poetic form. Through 
her able and unwearied efforts in her early girlhood, she was 
the first to call the attention of the outside world to the neg- 
lected historic place. 

Her first poems were published in the New York Knicker- 
bocker, Graham's Magazine, and Godey's Lady's Book. One 
of them was entitled " Lines to the Valley Forge Creek," 
which is reprinted on page 49 following. It was while she 
was still in school, in 1850 and 185 1, that she wrote the two 
poems entitled " The Trappe Church " and " The Lutheran's 
Appeal," (see pp. 51-52) which saved the old Trappe Church, 
the cradle of Lutherism, from destruction (See p. 44). 

From that time on, she wrote almost continuously on the 
subject, till in time, public attention zvas aroused. If her 
early efforts had been properly seconded an imposing monu- 
ment would have stood there many years ago. The late 
Charles Rogers, of Valley Forge, offered to give a noble site 
for the monument, and his brother-in-law, Benjamin Mathias, 
then editor of the Philadelphia Saturday Evening Post, ten- 
dered the use of the columns of his paper in the interest of 
the monument. But at that time Miss Thropp was in the 
last year of her studies at school and her father thought she 
could not engage in anything so all-absorbing to the detriment 
of her education. 



28 




MRS. MARY E. THROPP CONE. 



In i860, after her graduation, she opened a select school for 
young ladies, in Philadelphia, and again took up her pen in 
the cause. The press generally was very kind, never refusing 
to insert her articles or asking pay for the space they occupied, 
but they occasionally eliminated her name and subjoined 
others, such as " Patriot," " Nemo," etc. She wrote under 
the name of "Cottager," in the Cincinnati Inquirer and the 
United States Gazette of Philadelphia. It was only when she 
found that others were taking credit for her work that she re- 
monstrated with one or two of the editors. The first to pub- 
lish her name with her articles was Joseph R. Chandler, editor 
of the United States Gazette, of Philadelphia — who did it, by 
the way, without her permission, and when she remonstrated 
with him he said it was but just that she should have the credit 
of her own work. 

In April, 1865, Miss Thropp was sent from Philadelphia 
by the United States Sanitary Commission, as one of a com- 
mittee of four ladies, with surplus hospital stores to the sick 
and wounded soldiers at Richmond. This benevolent mission 
was approved by President Lincoln, and a small government 
steamer was provided for the committee. They arrived at 
Richmond the very evening of the President's assassination. 
These ladies were the first from the North to enter the Con- 
federate capital after its capture by the Federal army, and 
Miss Thropp's graphic letters home were eagerly published 
by the press. 

In July, 1865, Miss Thropp went to Richmond again to 
assist the American Union Commission to establish a couple 
of free schools for white children. 

On October i, 1868, she married Andrew Cone, then owner 
and publisher of the Oil City Times, now the Derrick. After 
her marriage, she first signed her articles " Mrs. Andrew 
Cone," but her mother urged her on her deathbed always to 
put in the blunt old name of " Thropp," or at least the initial 
" T," and thereafter she did so. 

In April, 1873, Governor Hartranft, of Pennsylvania, ap- 
pointed Mr. Cone as one of the Commissioners to represent 
that State at the Universal Exposition at Vienna, and he ac- 
cepted the honor, understanding that the Legislature had 
allowed each of the Commissioners $2,000 toward his ex- 
penses. It was not until he had completed his preparations 

29 



for departure that he discovered that the " wily members who 
had created the offices had also taken the precaution to vote 
themselves the $6,000 — all the money appropriated. In this 
strait, Mrs. Cone, to assist in paying the expenses of the trip, 
hastily concluded a business arrangement with the press, 
which gave her countrymen an interesting series of letters." 
(Norristown Herald and Free Press, April 7, 1874, and the 
Philadelphia Inquirer.) 

Upon the conclusion of Mr. Cone's mission, he and his 
wife traveled extensively through Europe, Mrs. Cone writing 
letters as foreign correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer 
and the Oil City Derrick. 

Early in 1876, President Grant appointed Mr. Cone United 
States Consul at Para, Brazil, whither Mrs. Cone accompanied 
him. Before they sailed, however, by an interesting coinci- 
dence, Dom Pedro, Emperor of Brazil, visited Oil City, to 
study the petroleum industry. The Emperor was entertained 
at the home of the newly appointed Consul and his wife, who 
accompanied him in his tour about the oil region and explained 
to him the various details of the industry. The Oil City cor- 
respondent of the Derrick, writing under date of May 8, 1870, 
of the Dom's visit, said : " Mrs. Cone is one of the most intel- 
ligent, queenly and interesting ladies in Oil City. The oil 
regions were fitly represented by Mr. and Mrs. Cone, and 
doubtless they will be remembered by the Emperor when they 
arrive in his dominions." 

The centennial anniversary of the occupation of Valley 
Forge occurred while Mrs. Cone was residing at the Consulate 
in Para. It was natural that those who were acquainted with 
her pen-work in behalf of Valley Forge should turn to her on 
this occasion, and Judge J. Smith Futhey, Chairman of the 
Committee of Chester County citizens having the celebration 
in charge, the other members of the committee being Hon. 
James Everhart and Addison May, Esq., of Westchester, wrote 
to her asking her to write a poem to be read at the exercises 
June 19, 1878. She had but four days between the arrival 
of the steamer which brought the request and the departure 
of the only steamer which would carry her reply in time, in 
which to compose the verses ; and as domestic affairs claimed 
her daylight hours, she was obliged to write them at night, 
with the aid of her husband as amanuensis. The noble Cen- 

30 



tennial Poem of eighteen verses of eight Hnes each, reprinted 
on page 54 following, attests the spontaneity as well as the 
true poetic instinct of the writer. 

It was also about this time that she wrote in verse a beauti- 
ful prayer, based on the thought contained in the words : 
" Cast all your cares upon Him, for He careth for you." " My 
Prayer" is printed on page 61. 

After two and one half years' service at Para, Mr. Cone was 
appointed by President Hayes, in July, 1878, to be United 
States Consul at Pernambuco, Brazil. The transfer of Mr. Cone 
to this more desirable post of honor in no way reconciled Mrs. 
Cone to absence from her native land, for which she con- 
stantly yearned. This feeling expressed itself beautifully in 
a poem entiled " Home Sickness," dated July, 1880. It was 
dedicated to Mrs. Joseph E. Thropp, her sister-in-law, and 
was published in the Norristown Herald. It is reprinted on 
page 58 following. 

In September, 1880, Mr. Cone, accompanied by his wife, 
returned to America on his first leave of absence. The change 
of climate affected his health and after a short illness he 
passed away November 7, 1880, in Philadelphia. 

Mrs. Cone then resumed her former home in Oil City, Pa., 
and devoted herself with renewed zeal to the task of arousing 
public interest in Valley Forge. She and her sister Amelia 
were the originators of the Valley Forge Monument Associa- 
tion, and began their work for the monument in July, 1882. 
(See article in Phoenixville Messenger, July 22, 1882, below.) 

On July 21, 1882, the Philadelphia Inquirer printed an 
eloquent appeal from Mrs. Cone for a monument at Valley 
Forge. As a specimen of her straightforward and persuasive 
use of the Anglo-Saxon language, it is reprinted on page 61 
following. The article was reproduced in other papers. 

On July 22, 1882, the Phoenixville (Pa.) Messenger, owned 
and edited by a staunch friend of Mrs. Cone's — John O. K. 
Robarts — published an editorial in which he said: 

" Last week we published a very ably written and interest- 
ing letter from the pen of Mrs. Mary E. Thropp Cone, of 
Philadelphia, upon Valley Forge, her native place. In that 
letter she called attention to the fact that although the darkest 
days of the Revolutionary War were passed while the Conti- 
nental heroes were at that place in 1777-78, and suffered as no 

31 



other army ever suffered, yet the American people, prone to 
Hberality and to cherish the memories of the pregnant past, 
have signally and unaccountably failed to rescue from the 
shades of oblivion by the erection of a suitable, permanent 
monument, the names, at least, of the prominent actors in that 
scene of the war drama enacted upon those bleak hills, now 
part of this domain of freedom, through their heroism, patience, 
suffering and waiting. 

" Those who were associated in arranging for the Centen- 
nial celebration of the evacuation of Valley Forge by the Conti- 
nental Army, on the 19th day of June, 1878, will remember 
that the association organized for that purpose contemplated 
at one time perpetuating its existence, the erection of a monu- 
ment, and stated meetings at Headquarters to keep alive the 
feelings of a patriotism engendered by that great demonstra- 
tion. That the plan was not adopted, in the light of subsequent 
events was clearly an error. The Lady Regency fashioned 
after that of Mount Vernon, while pretty in outline, in sub- 
stance and practice does not come up to expectation, and its 
object, the purchase of the Headquarters, has only been partially 
accomplished, and the prospects of the future are none of the 
brightest. But even if the Regency had been fully successful, 
yet, it does not seem that something more would not be needed. 
It is true, the Headquarters are in a good state of preservation, 
and the interior mainly as Washington and his Martha left it, 
but still that does not come up to the full measure of what is 
wanted. Those walls do not tell the names of the generals, the 
regiments, the States represented there in that season of peril, 
now so well known. And as the years go by, the records of 
all this will become fainter and fainter still. What is needed, 
then, is a substantial granite shaft, plain, but imposing, upon 
which may be chiselled the story as outlined above, so that 
people of this age and of the ages to come, may there read 
what now they will have to go to printed and perishing pages 
to learn. 

" And we think that Mrs. Cone, the poetess of the great 
Centennial celebration, a native of that hallowed ground, bring- 
ing her acknowledged powers to bear upon such an enterprise, 
should be able to accomplish it in a short time. Of course, 
she will need assistance, but that should be forthcoming. If 
the school children of Philadelphia, by penny contributions, 
could erect that beautiful monument to Washington's memory 
in front of the old State House, in that city, those of Mont- 
gomery and Chester Counties should be able to do something 
worthy of their intelligence in this noble cause. There is no 
doubt but that there may be feasible plans adopted to secure 
what is desired. We feel assured that the press of the country 
will be in accord with any movement that shall tend to per- 
petuate the glorious history of Valley Forge, and those who 
so bravely suffered there." 

.32 



On July 22, 1882, there appeared in the West Chester 
Daily RepubUcan an article by her pen, entitled *' The Name- 
less Grave of Valley Forge," written partly in prose and partly 
in verse. The poetic nature does not always speak in verse, 
and it is difficult to say which part of this article (reprinted 
on pag-e 64) is the more poetic. 

While public sentiment remained apathetic on the monu- 
ment subject, Mrs. Cone was not only giving her time and 
talent toward that object, but, like the Queen of Spain, who 
gave her gems to aid Columbus' voyage, and like the patriotic 
women of Philadelphia who during the Revolution gave their 
jewels for the cause of Independence, she was offering her 
treasures of another kind to promote the cause she had so 
deeply at heart. On October 4, 1882, and several following 
days she published in the Philadelphia Inquirer, and other 
papers, the following advertisement : 

" VALUABLE FOR THE BI-CENTENNIAL— Among 
other valuable relics, I possess a periodical more than sixty 
years old containing a historical account of the landing of Wil- 
liam Penn at New Castle ; convening an assembly of the Free- 
men of Pennsylvania at Old Chester; selecting a site for the 
city of Philadelphia; preaching from logs by the Inlet, subse- 
quently spanned by Pool's Bridge, the first sermon that was 
ever preached in Philadelphia, etc., etc. 

" Also, ' a speech delivered in the House of Assembly of 
the Province of Pennsylvania, May 24, 1764, by one of the 
members for the County of Philadelphia,' printed together 
with extracts from the minutes of the different Assemblies 
from 1 719 to 1756, eulogistic of William Penn, etc. 

" Either or both of these documents I will sell to the highest 
bidder; proceeds to be applied to the erection of a monument 
over the patriots of the Revolution at Valley Forge. 

" No bid for less than one dollar each will be received. 
Please address 

" Mrs. M. E. Thropp Cone, 
" 3314 Walnut Street, West Philadelphia." 

This offer did not elicit a single response. 

In November, 1883, Mrs. Cone wrote the verses entitled 
" The Wild Flowers of Valley Forge" (see page 68) and sent 
them to Whittier. The great poet was pleased with them and 
acknowledged them, together with another enclosure, in the 
following letter: 

33 



Boston, 15, nth Mo. 
''Dear Mrs. Cone: — I have read with great satisfaction thy 
able articles on the neglected dead of Valley Forge. 

" The poem sent me will find a place through its own merits, 
without any effort of mine, but I will send it to the Boston 
Transcript, the best literary daily paper here. 

" I am very truly thy friend, 

" John G. Whittier." 

The Transcript published the poem December 15, 1882. 
The Philadelphia Ledger reprinted the Wild Flowers poem 
three months later, commenting upon it as follo\ys : 

/ 
" We are indebted to Mrs. Thropp Cone, of Philadelphia, 
for a valued contribution, ' The Wild Flowers of Valley 
Forge,' which appears in to-day's Ledger. It is a perfect little 
gem, and strangely touches the finer fibres of man's rugged 
nature. Mrs. Cone has been devoting much of her time to 
secure a monument of marble to the memory of the heroes of 
Valley Forge, amid many discouragements ; but in this little 
poem she has — perhaps unconsciously — added a gem that de- 
serves to be perpetuated when mausoleums of marble shall 
have crumbled into dust." 

Mrs. Cone next determined to see what could be done to 
organize the sentiment which she had been endeavoring to 
arouse, and for that purpose projected a series of meetings at 
Valley Forge. In order that she might be near the scene of 
action, she and her sister, Miss Amelia Thropp, went to Valley 
Forge for an extended visit. 

On Monday evening, December 18, 1882, the 105th anni- 
versary of the occupation of Valley Forge encampment, Mrs. 
Cone held a public meeting at Valley Forge, Colonel N. M. 
Ellis, of Phoenixville, presiding. The meeting is thus de- 
scribed by one of the local newspapers : 

"A daughter of Valley Forge (Mrs. Thropp Cone), to 
the manor born, who, although years have passed since she 
made that place her home, many of them passed in foreign 
climes, loving the memories that cling about the old Head- 
quarters, the fortifications and hills, suggestive at every turn 
of patriotic impulse, has resolved, if possible, to rescue that 
spot from the oblivion which seems to threaten it, and the 
grand central figures who once figured there. To that end, 
and at her request, a meeting was held in the public hall of 
the ancient village on the 105th anniversary of its occupation 

34 



by the Revolutionary sires. There were parties present from 
the place of meeting, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Washington and 
Phoenixville. Speeches were made by the Rev. Dr. William 
P. Breed, J. O. K. Robarts, Dr. B. M. Hanna, and others. 
The voice of the gathering is expressed in the following pre- 
amble and resolution : 

" Whereas, Valley Forge stands forth pre-eminent among 
the historic places of American Revolutionary fame; and, 

" Whereas, During the stay of the Continental Army there 
under Washington, 1777-7S, scores of patriots gave their lives 
willingly for the cause in which they were enlisted ; and, 

" Whereas, No monument, public or private, has been 
erected in memory of their suffering and death, and 

" Whereas, Congress has, in its liberality, appropriated 
various sums at different times for the building of monuments 
on Revolutionary battle-fields, and celebrating prominent events 
of that great struggle; therefore, be it 

" Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that Valley 
Forge should have a monument to perpetuate the memories of 
the Continental heroes who suffered here, the names of the 
commands and the States they were from, and to that end is 
entitled to Congressional recognition. 

" Upon the passage of the preambles and resolution, and 
an informal discussion of the subject matter in general, the 
meeting adjourned to reassemble at the same place on the 
second Monday of January next. It is to be earnestly hoped 
that a Soldiers' monument upon the heights of Valley Forge 
will be the result of the meeting brought about by that sterling 
lady, Mrs. Mary E. Thropp Cone." 

On Monday evening, January 8, 1883, the adjourned meet- 
ing was held in the village, Colonel Ellis again acting as chair- 
man and W. Clift, of Norristown, as secretary pro tern. A 
newspaper account of the meeting is given below, for it con- 
tains the names of many early helpers in the cause who have 
never received due credit for their support : 

" Letters expressing sympathy with the movement and 
regret at their inability to be present were received from Mar- 
riott Brosius, Esq., of Lancaster; H. N. Geist. editor of the 
Lancaster New Era; ex-Governor John F. Hartranft, Addison 
May, Esq.. of West Chester ; Dr. J. B. Wood, of West Chester ; 
Hon. William Ward, of Delaware County ; William Murphy, 
Esq., of Philadelphia ; Mrs. John Griffin, of Phoenixville, and 
many others. 

" On motion of Rev. William P. Breed, of Philadelphia, 
the following persons were appointed a committee and author- 

35 



ized to collect subscriptions for the monument fund : Mrs. Mary 
E. Thropp Cone, Miss Amelia Thropp, Edward Benson, 
Colonel Dale Benson, Hon. John F. Hartranft, Major Isaiah 
Price, Mrs. Jones (1526 Arch Street), Mrs. Professor O. B. 
Ganse, Mrs. Aubrey H. Smith, Wharton Barker, and the 
Misses Bonney and Dillaye (Chestnut Street), of Philadelphia; 
Miss Phebe Robarts, John O. K. Robarts, Colonel N. M. Ellis, 
A. Bonzano, of Phoenixville ; H. W. Kratz, Esq., and Dr. L. 
Royer, of Collegeville ; Dr. A. D. Markley and Dr. William T. 
Robinson, of Hatboro ; Colonel Theodore W. Bean, Major R. R. 
Corson, Mrs. Mary H. Wills, Isaac W. Smith, David Schall, 
of Norristown; Mrs. Anna M. Holstein, of Upper Merion ; 
Mrs. Hugh Mclnnis. Captain William Rennyson, of Bridge- 
port; Dr. J. B. Wood, Addison T. May, John Groff, Mrs. 
Dr. Price, Dr. John Everhart, of West Chester; L. H. Davis, 
Captain Thomas Steele, of Pottstown ; Mrs. Hon. Alan Wood, 
Jr., Mrs. Dr. Beaver, Rev. Mr. Atkins, Stanley Lees, of Con- 
shohocken ; Major John W. Eckman, I. Heston Todd, of Port 
Kennedy ; John Rowan, Daniel Webster, of Valley Forge ; 
Joseph E. Thropp, of Lower Merion ; General D. McM. Gregg, 
Frederick Lauer, of Reading ; General B. F. Fisher, of Chester 
County ; Algernon Cadwallader, of Yardleyville ; Judge Trun- 
key, of Franklin ; Samuel D. Irvin, of Tionesta ; Amos Gart- 
side, of Chester ; Samuel F. Jarret, of Shannonville ; Dr. 
Frederick W. Heckel, of Spring City ; Captain William Wayne, 
of Paoli ; Dr. J. B. Hanna, of Pittsburg; William E. Lock- 
wood, of Glenloch; H. N Geist and W. U. Hensel, of Lan- 
caster ; General W. W. H. Davis, of Doylestown ; John 
Griffin, of Phoenixville. 

" A. J. Drexel, of Philadelphia, was unanimously elected 
treasurer. 

" The following was adopted unanimously : 

" Resolved, That a vote of thanks be extended to Senators 
Sewell and Hawley, Congressmen William D. Kelley, William 
Godshalk, William Ward, Daniel Ermentrout, I. N. Evans, 
and James B. Everhart, and ex-Governor John F. Hartranft, 
for their sympathy and services in behalf of the monument 
project, and that they be earnestly requested to continue their 
exertions until favorable action by Congress shall be had. 

" On motion of Mrs. Cone the next meeting was ordered 
for Monday afternoon, the 15th inst., and the meeting ad- 
journed." 

Referring to this meeting, the Norristown Register of June 
12, 1883, said : 

" In this as in many other patriotic, philanthropic, and pro- 
gressive movements of the age, ladies are in the foremost rank. 
Mrs. Mary E. Thropp Cone, who was brought up within the 

36 



shadow of the hills which once sheltered the birthplace and 
cradle of liberty, is taking a most active part in this matter, 
and we heartily wish the lady success." 

Other meetings of like character were held in Philadelphia. 
In October, 1883, Mrs. Cone and her sister Amelia went to 
Pittsburg- and spent a month there, working in behalf of the 
monument. The traveling, hotel, printing and other ex- 
penses which were incurred were borne by Mrs. Cone with 
the same self-sacrificing spirit that animated her arduous 
labors. The work of the two sisters was not without recog- 
nition, however, for they were honored with important posi- 
tions in the Western Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and 
upon their departure from Pittsburg for Philadelphia, a local 
paper said: 

" Mrs. M. E. Thropp Cone and sister. Miss Amelia Thropp, 
left for their home in Philadelphia last week. During their 
stay in this city, in the interests of the Valley Forge Monu- 
mental Association, they were eminently successful in molding 
public opinion in favor of the patriotic enterprise, and leave be- 
hind them a large circle of friends who sincerely regret their 
enforced departure." 

In February, 1883, Mrs. Cone wrote her brilliant poem 
entitled "The Sentinel of Valley Forge," which was read twenty 
years later at the i2Sth anniversary celebration at Valley 
Forge. It is reprinted on page 69 following. Of this poem, 
the Hon. John Hay, United States Secretary of State, wrote 
as follows: 

Department of State. 

Washington, April 18, 1903. 
Dear Madam — I have received your letter of the i6th of 
April, with a copy of your poem printed in " The Spirit of 
'76," which I herewith return at your request. 

I have read with great interest and pleasure " The Sentinel 
of Valley Forge," and congratulate you on having expressed 
with so much beauty and feeling the patriotic sentiments which 
are forever associated with that historic neighborhood. 

Yours very truly, 

John Hay. 
Mrs. Mary E. Thropp Cone, 
22 Harriot Avenue, 
Oil City, Pa. 

37 



In March, 1883, Mrs. Cone offered to part with another 
treasure in the following advertisement: 



'^. 



" VALLEY FORGE MONUMENT FUND. I will sell 
sets of copper coin from the year 18 10 to 1875, for the Valley 
Forge Monument Fund. Also some Brazilian silver coin. 
Call on or address, Mary E. Thropp Cone, No. 3314 Walnut 
Street, West Philadelphia." 

In 1883 and 1884, Mrs. Cone and her friends made 
strenuous efforts to secure an appropriation from Congress 
for Valley Forge. Congress then had under consideration a 
bill introduced by Hon. S. S. Cox, of New York, to encourage 
the erection of monuments on Revolutionary sites (H. R. 
2435). It provided, in general, for the appropriation by Con- 
gress of an amount equal to that raised locally for the erection 
of a Revolutionary monument. On July 2, 1884, the Com- 
mittee on Library reported this bill favorably, recommending 
certain minor amendments placing beyond question its applica- 
bility to Valley Forge. This bill, however, failed to pass. 

Meanwhile, an unfortunate situation arose. Valley Forge 
lies partly in Montgomery County and partly in Chester 
County. Washington's headquarters, near the debouchment 
of Valley Creek into the Schuylkill River, lies in Montgomery 
County, while most of the camp-ground lies in Chester County. 
The Valley Forge Monumental Association, of which Mrs. 
Cone was president, and her sister. Miss Thropp, was secre- 
tary, had proceeded zuithout regard to sectional lines. But a 
rival organization, the Valley Forge Memorial Association, 
was formed, which aimed only at the acquisition of the head- 
quarters building and the portion of the camp-ground in Mont- 
gomery County. 

There appeared to be a plan on their part to ignore the 
Thropps and their allies in Chester County and the work they 
had done. It is not necessary to recount the extremes to which 
this personal opposition went. It may be stated, however, as 
a curious coincidence, if nothing more, that the Hon. Samuel 
W. Pennypacker, author of the "Annals of Chester County," 
for some reason, neglected to mention Mrs. Cone's family in 
that work, although they were the oldest and most prominent 
people of the place. 

38 



The Memorial Association proceeded to raise money to buy 
the Headquarters and they endeavored to merge Mrs. Cone's 
association into theirs. Finally they offered to pay Mrs. Cone 
if she would write for them. Mrs. Cone had spent a great 
deal of money in advertisements, railroad tickets, and other 
expenses, and had never asked nor received either reimburse- 
ment for her actual expenditures or compensation for the out- 
pourings of her heart in the newspapers. In view of her un- 
selfish disposition revealed in these acts, and of the effort to 
undermine her organization, she regarded the tender of her 
rivals to receive her into their paid employment somewhat in 
the light of an insult. It is needless to say that the offer was 
not accepted. 

Referring to the situation, the Library Committee of Con- 
gress, in their report on Congressman Cox's bill, before alluded 
to, said : 



" Two societies have in charge at present the work to be 
accomplished at Valley Forge, one designed more especially 
to preserve the Headquarters of Washington there, and the 
other to build a monument on the height of land where the 
encampment was situated ; also to secure some of the land and 
preserve the intrenchments intact for all time behind which 
the army of Washington passed that memorable winter of 
privation and suffering, the touching story of which is familiar 
to every school-boy in the country. Mrs. Mary E. Thropp 
Cone, of Philadelphia, a native of Valley Forge, is at the head 
of this latter organization. Mr. A. J. Drexel, Jr., of Phila- 
delphia, is its treasurer, and Mr. George W. Childs a charter 
member. The American Army at Valley Forge was composed 
of soldiers from New England, from the Middle States, and 
from the South. All sections of the country were enshrouded 
in that ' midnight of despair/ No event of the Revolution 
was more national in its character, no victory of arms more 
conducive to the final result. To preserve a few acres of the 
encampment of the army there, and actually to keep the very 
intrenchments behind which they lay and suffered from be- 
ing leveled to the ground, is surely a work in which the nation 
can well take a part. By an affidavit from Mrs. Anna M. 
Holstein, of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, the Lady 
Regent of the other Valley Forge organization, and from other 
sources, the committee learn that the Headquarters buildings 
and grounds are in the possession of this body, and with a clear 
title; and that there is now due on the purchase about $3,000. 
and that the receipts of the society do not permit this sum to 

39 



increase, the interest bein^ regularly paid. Under the opera- 
tions of this bill this organization feel that they can easily raise 
the money at once to pay off this debt by private subscription. 
In fact, the money for this purpose has been substantially 
guaranteed to them should the bill become a law. The Head- 
quarters will then be free from the mortgage now incumbering 
it, and a sum equal to its whole cost will then be available as 
the nucleus of a monument fund for the other organization, or 
such an organization as may be formed after the bill shall have 
become a law. Both these organizations, your committee are 
informed, are cognizant of the section relating to Valley Forge, 
and contemplate the passage of the bill with pleasure." 

In October, 1883, Mrs. Cone and her sister Amelia went 
to Pittsburg, where the citizens received their appeals with 
courtesy, but would not take hold, and Mrs. Cone had not the 
courage to ask for contributions to pay expenses ; but many 
a night the two sisters sat up into the " wee sma' hours ayout 
the twall " writing for the cause in the old-fashioned vi^ay — 
for they had no typewriter. 

The Phoenixville Messenger of June 28, 1900, referring 
to the proscription of the Chester County people by the Me- 
morial Association, said : 

" We call attention to a local in this issue referring to the 
annual meeting and election of the Valley Forge Memorial As- 
sociation, held at that place last Thursday. 

" It will be noticed, and it should be with surprise, that 
not a Chester County name appears in the entire roster of 
officials; and this is the more surprising when it must be re- 
membered that in Chester County, as well as in what was then 
probably Philadelphia County, now Montgomery, many of 
Washington's men were encamped during the wdnter of 
1777-78': 

" Again, in the arrangements for the Centennial celebra- 
tion in 1878, Chester County men and women were active in 
labor, sympathy and contribution of time and labor to make 
that event an unquestioned success, all of which, however, 
counted for nothing when the time came for permanent organi- 
zation. Then it was, that in the charter for the Valley Forge 
Memorial Association, the names of all Chester countians were 
ignored, Montgomery County monopolizing the matter. 

" It will be noticed in the local referred to that a proposition 
was made at the late annual meeting to formulate a historical 
pamphlet referring to the late Valley Forge movement, reciting 
particularly the part taken by the P. O. S. of A. in caring for 
the old Headquarters. 

40 




MISS AMELIA THROPP. 



" It will be curious to see, when that effort is in print, what 
disposition is made of those this side the Montj^fomery County 
line, who were to the fore from the i8th of December, 1877, 
to the 19th of June, 1878, durino^ which the P. O. S. of A. were 
conspicuous, if at all, by their absence." 

When it became apparent that Congress would not make 
an appropriation for Valley Forge, the subject of a State ap- 
propriation was agitated. Public sentiment finally crystallized, 
not in the form of a monument, but in the form of a State 
Reservation embracing a portion of the historic camp-ground. 

In 1893, the Pennsylvania Legislature created a Commis- 
sion " to acquire, maintain and preserve forever the Revolu- 
tionary Camp Ground at Valley Forge for the free enjoyment 
of the people." 

With appropriations aggregating $35,000, the Commission 
secured about 220 acres of land by 1897. This area was only 
about one-third of the camp-ground, but embraced the line of 
well-preserved entrenchments, and the remains of Fort Wash- 
ington and Fort Huntington. In 1903, the Commission ob- 
tained an appropriation of $93,650. Sixty more acres were 
added, and a system of drives and paths touching the chief 
points of interest constructed. 

In addition to the Park itself, other memorials have been 
preserved or erected outside of the Park boundaries. The 
old stone building in the village wherein Washington made 
his headquarters was purchased in 1878, by the Valley Forge 
Memorial Association, and is restored as far as practicable 
to its original appearance. On land situated east of the Park, 
but within the camp-ground, donated by Mr. I. H. Todd, the 
Episcopalians have erected a temporary frame chapel, w'ith a 
view to building there a permanent memorial chapel. In 
1895, the Sons of the Revolution erected a monument to mark 
Anthony Wayne's headquarters, a mile south of Valley Forge. 
In 1901, the Daughters of the Revolution dedicated a beautiful 
monument, sixty feet high, at the grave of Major John Water- 
man, just across the road from the Episcopal Memorial Chapel. 

The 125th anniversary of the evacuation of Valley Forge 
was celebrated June 19, 1903, under the auspices of the Valley 
Forge Anniversary Association, which was organized at the 
Hotel Hanover, Philadelphia, December 18, 1902. The 
officers of this association were : General B. F. Fisher, of Val- 

41 



ley Forge, president; J. P. H. Jenkins, of Norristown, vice- 
president; George N. Malsberger, of Pottstown, treasurer, 
and John O. K. Robarts, of Phoenixville, secretary. In this 
celebration, Mrs. Cone was very properly represented by the 
reading of her poem " The Sentinel of Valley Forge." The 
exercises of the day were held on the State property near Fort 
Huntington, and were divided into two parts. 

At lo a. m. a Memorial Service was held, as follows, 
Governor S. W. Pennypacker presiding: 

National Salute, by Battery C., National Guard of Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Dirge, by the Phoenix Military Band. 

Invocation, by Bishop Cyrus D. Foss. 

Hymn, " Before Jehovah's Awful Throne," by chorus of 
500 voices. 

Responsive reading, by Rev. J. W. Sayres, D.D. 

" Gloria Patri," by the Chorus. 

Reading of Scriptures, by Rev. Henry A. Hoyt, D.D. 

Anthern, " Erect Your Heads, Eternal Gates," by the 
Chorus. 

Prayer, by Rev. Joseph H. Dubbs, D.D. 

Hymn, " God Bless Our Native Land," by the Chorus. 

Address, by Rabbi Joseph Krauskopf. 

Doxology, by the Chorus. 

Benediction, by Rev. Wayland Hoyt, D.D. 

Hymn, " Amen, Amen, Amen," by the Chorus. 

The Patriotic Service was held at 2 p. m., according to the 
following programme: 

Music by the Phoenix Military Band. 

Festival Hymn by the Chorus. 

Prayer, by Rev. Henry C. McCook, D.D. 

" God Guard Columbia," by the Chorus. 

Poem, " The Sentinel of Valley Forge." by Mrs. Mary E. 
Thropp Cone (read by Professor Francis L. Lybarger). 

Address, by Walter S. Logan, of New York. 

" Waken, Voice of the Land's Devotion," by the Chorus. 

Address, by Miss Adaline W. Sterling, of Englewood, N. J. 

Kellar's American Hymn, solo, by J. O. K. Robarts, of 
Phoenixville. and Chorus. 

Address, by Mrs. Donald McLean, of New York. 

" Hail, Valley Forge," by the Chorus. 

Poem, by Miss Margaret B. Harvey (read by Professor 
Francis L. Lybarger.) 

42 



" The Heroes of Valley Forg^e," by the Chorus. 

Address, by Hon. C. Emory Smith, of Philadelphia. 

" Hallelujah Chorus." by the Chorus. 

Benediction, by Rev. Robert M. Green, D.D., of Phoenix- 
ville. 

John O. K. Robarts, of Phoenixville, was Musical Director 
of the day. 



In looking back at what has been done to endear Valley 
Forge to the hearts of the American people, the impartial 
observer can not fail to be impressed with the value of the 
work done by the Thropp family, and particularly by Mrs. 
Cone, aided by her faithful, ever-helpful and sympathetic 
sister Amelia. It has been said that '' all women who publish 
do so for money or fame." Mrs. Cone certainly did not work 
in this cause for money. Her sensibilities were too delicate 
and her patriotism too pure to permit her to coin the pro- 
foundest feelings of her heart into money — to manufacture the 
sacrifices and sufiferings of heroes into lucre. It may be 
doubted, too, if she consciously worked for fame — certainly 
not for the selfish fame which seeks to exalt the personality 
of the worker above the work. One soweth and another 
reapeth, and to a certain extent others have entered into the 
fruit of her labors ; but those who will take the trouble to 
review the events of not only this year, or last year, but of 
forty years, in connection with the development of public ap- 
preciation of Valley Forge, will accord the fame of good works 
most generously to her whose controlling motives were an 
all-possessing patriotism, an absorbing love for the beautiful 
Valley of her home, and an ever-conscious pride that she was 
a native of Valley Forge, 



43 




THE OLD TRAPPE CHURCH AND HOW A 

GIRL SAVED IT 

YING about twenty-five miles north of Philadelphia, 
in the township of Upper Providence, in the 
county named after General Richard Montgomery, 
and in the State of Pennsylvania, is a village with 
the curious name of Trappe. And in that village 
with the curious name is a curious looking stone 
church of venerable aspect which is called the 
Old Trappe Church. 
The first name of the village was Landau, given to it 
by Samuel Seely, who divided it into town lots ; but " the 
best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley " ; and by a 
singular course of events, the name Landau was supplemented 
by Trappe. How this metamorphosis came about is described 
by the Rev. Dr. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, the first regular 
minister of the church, and called " The Luther of America," 
who made the following entry in his diary under date of 
November 13, 1780: 

" Christian Schrack, who was buried yesterday, was a son 
of John Jacob Schrack, who came to this country in 17 17 
. . . They built a cabin and a cave in which they cooked. 
They kept a small shop in a small way, and a tavern with 
beer and such things. As once an English inhabitant, who had 
been drinking in the cave, fell asleep and came home late, and 
was in consequence scolded by his wife, he excused himself 
by saying he had been at the Trap. From that time the neigh- 
borhood is called Trapp, and is known as such in all America." 

In the course of English usage, the name took unto itself 
a final " e," with which unnecessary and inaudible vowel the 
early English loved to decorate the ends of almost every word 
that would permit it, and this final " e," the most-used letter 
in the alphabet as every printer knows — for he has a larger box 
of " e's " in his case than of any other letter — has been the 
subject of fierce but happily bloodless contention locally. 
Many thought the addition of an extra " p " was bad enough, 
but to add a " curly-cue " on the end of that in the shape of 
an " e " was too much. However, the extra " p " and the 
final " e " remain, and the name is now^ spelled " Trappe.'' 

The township of New Providence is part of the tract which 

44 



Penn reserved for his own use and named after his mother "Gil- 
bert's Manor." It was first settled by the English in 1684, 
Edward Lane being the pioneer; but soon after came the 
Germans, and among them John Jacob Schrack, aforemen- 
tioned, who came in 17 17, bought 250 acres in the lower end 
of the present village of Trappe, and conducted the inter- 
ranean public refectory which gave the village its unsought 
name. 

The settlement grew rapidly. The English built a church ; 
the Mennonites had a meeting house and the Lutherans wor- 
shipped in a barn. In December, 1742, Dr. Muhlenberg be- 
came pastor of the Lutherans and in the following January 
they built a log school-house. They also voted to build a stone 
church, " 54 schuh lang bei 39 schuh breit " — 54 shoes long 
by 39 shoes broad. The German " shoe " is the same as the 
English " foot." The cornerstone was laid May 2, 1743, and 
on September 12 the congregation left the barn and con- 
secrated the now venerable building by their first worship. 
The formal consecration, however, did not take place until 
the building was completed in all its parts, and occurred Octo- 
ber 6, 1745. In the wall of the old church may still be seen 
a stone bearing the following inscription, attesting the antiquity 
of the edifice: 

SUB REMIGIO CHRISTIHAS 
AEDES SOCIETATI AUGUSTANAE 
' CONFESS DEDITAE DEDICATAS EX 
IPSO FUNDAMENTO EXSTRUXIT 
HENRICUS MELCHIOR MULENBERG 
UNA CUM CENSORIBUS. I. N. 
CROSMANO. F. MARSTELERO. 
A. HEILMANO. L MULLERO. H. 
HASIO: FT G. KEBNERO. 
A.D. MDCCXLIII. 

Which, by interpretation, means : " Under the auspices of 
Christ, Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, together with his council, 
I. N. Crosman, F. Marsteler, A. Heilman, I. Mueller, H. Haas 
and G. Kebner, erected from the foundation itself this temple, 
dedicated by the Society of the Augsburg Confession. A. D. 

I743-" 

45 



Dr. Muhlenberg, who died October 7, 1787, and his wife, 
who died August 23, 1802, are buried in the graveyard ad- 
joining the church. 

The Old Trappe Church is the oldest unaltered Lutheran 
church in America. It cost $889.92 to build originally. It 
once had a pipe organ which was brought from Europe in 
1751, and cost $329.77, but when, in the course of years, the 
church fell into neglect, the organ was carried off piece by 
piece by relic hunters until now nothing but the frame remains. 

The village of Trappe was so well within the bounds of 
civilization at the time of the French and Indian war that the 
church did not suffer from the depredations of the savages, 
as some other Lutheran churches, less fortunately situated, 
suffered. 

During the Revolution, its sturdy walls formed an excel- 
lent shelter for an American outpost, but they were not always 
treated with the respect due to their sacred character. On 
September 11, 1777, the battle of Brandywine was fought 
about twenty-five miles southwest of Trappe ; and six days 
later, Washington's army crossed the Schuylkill at Parker's 
Ford, about six miles northwest of Trappe. Thence the 
Americans marched to Trappe, coming out on the road just 
above the church. So close were the British in pursuit that, on 
September 19, Pastor Muhlenberg with a telescope could sec 
the British camp across the Schuylkill. All night long the 
American army marched by the church. On September 25, 
Dr. Muhlenberg entertained Lord Sterling, General Wayne, 
and their aides at breakfast. The next day, General Arm- 
strong came down to Trappe with three or four thousand 
Pennsylvanians and took up his headquarters in the church. 
The day after that, the 27th, when Dr. Muhlenberg went to the 
church to bury a child, he found it filled with officers and 
soldiers whose arms were stacked in the corner. The organ 
loft was also filled with sons of Mars, lustily singing to an 
organ accompaniment by one of their number. 

On October 2, the soldiers departed and on the 4th was 
fought the battle of Germantown. After the battle the militia 
returned, and the church was converted into a hospital. When 
Washington went into camp at Valley Forge, in December 
following, the troops were withdrawn from the Trappe camp. 

46 



In 1814, the church was extensively repaired at a cost of 

$664.89^2. 

After more than a hundred years of life and growth, the 
congregation found the church inadequate to its needs ; and this 
situation, together with the fact that the church was sadly in 
need of repair, nearly resulted in the abandonment and destruc- 
tion of the venerable structure. While the congregation were 
discussing the situation in 1850, Mary E. Thropp, later Mrs. 
Andrew Cone, but then a school-girl, touched by the sentiment 
which surrounded the old building, wrote for the Norristown 
Herald and Free Press a poem entitled " The Trappe Church " 
(reprinted on page 52 following). 

Who can tell what hidden stream of hereditary influence 
inspired these and other verses in behalf of the old church? 
Those who have read Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes' novel 
'' The Guardian Angel," remember how charmingly the author 
has treated in a literary way the hidden influence of heredity. 
A school-girl, with a trace of Indian blood in her veins, is 
thrown into the similitude of the environment of her ruddy- 
skinned ancestors by a tableau in which she participates at 
boarding-school. Under almost trivial provocation, the Indian 
blood flashes in her veins and almost finds expression in a 
characteristic Indian act. 

Miss Thropp's mother, Mrs. Isaiah Thropp, was Anna 
Virginia Workizer. The latter was daughter of John Workizer 
and granddaughter of Christian Workizer and Margaretta 
Girardin, his wife. Christian and Margaretta Workizer gave 
the ground at Strafiford Station on which was built a log 
church, as stated on page 13, which sustained religious con- 
nection with the Old Trappe Church. It is not at all improb- 
able that in this child of the fourth generation from Christian 
and Margaretta Workizer there lay dormant and hidden some 
instinct, born of the ancestral connections between the Trappe 
church, the so-called Old Eagle School property, and the 
Valley Forge encampment, which sprang into being when the 
Old Trappe Church was threatened and which voiced the senti- 
ments of ancestors who could no longer speak for themselves. 

However that may be, Miss Thropp's poem attracted wide- 
spread attention and was copied by other newspapers. In 185 1, 
the congregation, notwithstanding their veneration for the old 
building, decided to tear it down and build a new one. The 

47 



decision to tear down the old church greatly distressed the 
Rev. Henry S. Miller, the pastor, and he appealed to Miss 
Thropp to use her pen again in pleading for the preservation 
of the sacred edifice. She thereupon wrote, under date of 
January 21, 1851, the poem entitled " The Lutheran's Appeal.'' 
(See page 51.) On February 22, 1851, the congregation re- 
solved that the old church should remain standing " until a 
new church should be built and until the vestry should deem 
it proper to take it down." 

But in view of the popular sentiment, the vestry never 
deemed it proper to take it down. There is no doubt that the 
decision to keep the old church standing and build the new 
church on another site was largely influenced by Miss Thropp's 
poems. After the decision to preserve the old structure, 
Clement Miller, son of the pastor, and Dr. Frederick Hekel 
hastened to congratulate the delighted child on the success of 
her disinterested work and to thank her for saving the church 
from destruction. 

On February 16, i860, a terrible storm demolished the roof 
and exposed the interior to the elements. The congregation 
again voted to tear the walls down, but gave a committee, 
which pleaded for the privilege, permission to try to raise 
subscriptions for the preservation of the structure. The effort 
was successful, the church was repaired again, and has been 
kept in good condition ever since. 

And so the Old Trappe Church still stands, a monument 
to those pioneer sages who brought civilization and the Gospel 
to this region nearly two centuries ago. 



4B 




MOUNT JOY. 



VALLEY CREEK IN WINTER. 



MOUNT MISERY. 




OLD LOG HUT NEAR "THE CROSSING" OF THE SCHUYLKILL. 




LINES TO THE VALLEY FORGE CREEK 

By MARY E. THROPP 

RIDE of my little native vale, 

Mine own blue stream, once more 
I leave my home and guide my feet 

Along thy peaceful shore ! 
The parting beams have ceased to gild 

Thy undulating breast. 
They do but crown thy glorious hills 

While lingering in the west; 
Yet art thou fair, thou pleasant stream! 
Blue as yon tranquil sky; 
And in the curvings of thy banks 
How soft the shadows lie ! 

I've watched thee when the early breeze 

That heralded •'he sun 
Stole gently o\ r thy sleeping waves. 

And waked them one by one. 
I've seen thee when thy riplets bright 

Flashed back the golden rays. 
All glittering like a sea of stars 

Beneath the sun-set blaze ; 
And when the star-attended moon. 

Queen of the silent night, 
Flung o'er thy softly heaving breast 

A milder, holier light : 
But never in thy brightest garb, 

Nor in thy palmiest hour, 
Hast thou more grateful homage claimed 

Than my heart yields this hour ! 

No fortress lifts its frowning front 

In solitary pride 
Above the ever-guarding hills 

That shield thy tranquil tide; 
Nor slender spire, nor gilded dome 

Above thy waters gleam, 
Save where they mingled silently 

With Schuylkill's passing stream; 
Nature reigns queen; e'en this bold bend 

Shuts out each trace of art ; 
No changes, save when spring and fall 

In beauty come, depart ; 
Unchanged thy sky, thy hills, thy trees. 

Unchanged thy ceaseless flow ; 

49 



Fair as when first He called thee good, 
Six thousand years ago. 

Since then how much of hope and fear, 

How much of right and wrong, 
E'en here by thee has Time's still tide 

Raised up and borne along! 
How oft to quench their burning thirst 

Deep in thy grateful tide, 
Have antlered deer and graceful fawn 

Swept down yon mountain's side ; 
So light of limb, so fleet of foot, 

Were those wild mountain deer; 
But suns have set and moons have waned, 

Since deer or fawn were here. 

How oft has maiden's moccasin 

Brushed from thy banks the dew ; 
How oft has thy blue bosom borne 

The Chieftain's light canoe ! 
Where are they now ? Their banished tribe * 

By blue Columbia's waves 
Dream of the small far stream that flows 

Hard by their fathers' graves : 
A hundred years and more have fled 

Since last they sought thy shore; 
The death song and the warrior's whoop 

Sound from thy banks no more ! 

Since then thy waters heard the tones 

Of fife and clarion shrill, "% ^ J^ t 

Borne from the brave, high-s^ iwt - ed band /2J^ C<-^lA-^ CL-^ r^ 

Encamped along the hill. 
But better, holier sounds were near; 

When twilight veiled the sun. 
Thy listening waters paused to hear 

The prayer of Washington. 

That too has passed; the great man sleeps 

On broad Potomac's shore ; 
And thou art flowing on, oh stream ! 

Bright, changeless, as before : 
And thus thou'lt flow when she sleeps well 

Who loved near thee to dream. 
Majestic in enduring night 

Thou many-memoried stream ! 



* The Leni Lenape Indians. 

50 




THE LUTHERAN'S APPEAL 

(Written for the Norristown Herald and Free Press.) 

By MARY E. THROPP 

H, spare the Old Trappe Church, 

Touch not with impious hands 
Those consecrated walls — 

Oh let the Old Church stand! 
Therein, what peace and hope 

To fainting souls were given; 
Therefrom, what hymns and prayers 

Ascended up to Heaven. 



How many friends I've seen 

Enter by that low door; 
How many have gone forth, 

To darken it no more; 
How many weary forms. 

By life's stern cares oppressed. 
Have sought its silent yard. 

And laid them down to rest. 

The dear old hallowed Church, 

By our forefathers given 
Standing so humbly there. 

In the calm light of Heaven: 
God's spirit brooding o'er. 

Breathing its peace around 
The living and the dead. 

Making it holy ground. 

Would'st mar its stillness, then. 

With ribald jest and sneer. 
While reckless hands hurl down 

The Church we hold so dear? 
Never ! oh never ! Back, 

In memory of the dead ! 
We'd rather see go down 

The roof above our head ! 

Oh ! is it not enough 

That changes sadly come 
O'er all our childhood knew. 

In every earthly home? 
To see loved faces fade 

Like stars at morning time. 
Wearing the sweet wan look 

That tells of life's decline? 



51 



To watch the change of time ; 

The sadder change of heart; 
Without enduring still 

The chilling change of art? 
The dear, old honored Church ! 

Despoiler, harm it not ; 
Let time and God alone 

Change this beloved spot. 

Touch not the Old Trappe Church, 

The fane our fathers loved 
Ere yet along its path 

Our infant footsteps roved. 
Their honored dust is here. 

Spare, sacrilegious hand, 
The Altar and the Grave, 

And let the Old Church stand. 
Valley Forge, January 21, 1851. 



THE TRAPPE CHURCH 

(Written for the Norristown Herald and Free Press.) 
By MARY E. THROPP 



IME honored! how thy quaint old form 
To thee my feelings draw, 
As 'mid thy hallowed bounds I stand 
With reverential awe. 

No gilded dome nor window stained 
To thy plain walls were given; 

Only through open casements streams 
The sunny air from Heaven, 



Down on young heads in blessing streams, 

Nestles 'mid locks of snow, 
Bright as above their sires it gleamed 

A hundred years ago. 

Above, below, thy seats are thronged 
With hushed, expectant hearts. 

While from the choir a soft, sweet strain 
Its melody imparts. 




52 



A venerable form * fills now 

Thy highest, holiest place ; 
Attentive faces all around 

Gaze up to that calm face. 

A prayer, a hymn, and close attention marks 

Ut'rance of truths profound; 
Graced by clear head, warm heart, lit eye, 

And voice of solemn sound. 

That simple eloquence has ceased, 

Sunk deep in hearts away: — 
Forth from the awed within — we'll seek 

More silent ones than they. 

Softly, step lightly 'mid the mounds; 

God's garden this, of graves; 
Here sleeps the messenger t who brought 

Glad tidings o'er the waves, 

The God-inspired sage who made 

The world his Fatherland; 
Bore pennon of the thorn-crowned King 

To our beloved land. 

Here rests the Keystone's pride t — hither 

This unmarked grave to scan ; 
It bears the " noblest work of God," 

A true, an honest man ; 

The pilot of our ship of State, 

The best she ever won. 
For Pennsylvania never wept 

A nobler-hearted son! 

Ah ! many a human hope lies here. 

Deep, deep beneath the sod! 
Sire, sister, mother, son and friend, 

All garnered up to God. 

Hark! from the fane a hymn ascends 

Borne on the summer air. 
It sinks and dies amid the graves, 

So too, the voice of prayer. 



*Rev. Henry S. Miller, Pastor. 

tRev. Henry M. Muhlenberg, the father of the Lutheran Church 
in the United States. 
t Governor Shunk. 



53 



The benison and then the throng, 
Pass from the house of prayer 

To busy life; so once did they, 
The silent sleepers there ! 

Valley Forge, 1850. 



VALLEY FORGE CENTENNIAL POEM 

By MARY E. THROPP CONE 

(Read at the Valley Forge Centennial, June 19, 1878.) 



ITHIN my window, opening to the sea, 

I stand afar, and muse alone, 
Not on Brazilian scene of wave and shore, 

But on the Valley of my home. 
Above, in graceful rainbow curves. 

The banner Freedom won. 
Of lily, rose and starry blue. 

Floats in the morning sun. 



Before me spreads the flashing sea. 
Cradling the white sailed ships to rest, 

Circling fair Amazonian isles. 
In their rich tropic beauty, drest : 

The beauty of the changeless years, 




Where winters never come, 
ouched by artist 
The equaiorial 



ever come, //7 

Touched by ^artists' matchless hand /fvtAJZ- /^ 



sun. 



Oh, gazing from this arch of palms, 

O'er silver reach of shining bay. 
My senses wrapt in beauty's dream. 

My truant thoughts are far away — 
Not on the glory of this summer land, 

Not on this sky of sapphire blue. 
Ah, no, my longing heart, dear friends. 

Is all at home with you ! 

Brazilia's wilds with flowers aflame, 

Brazilia's wastes sublime. 
Her broad savannahs, boundless floods. 

In all their wealth of prime — 
Superb the setting, but the gem 

Is dross, compared with thee. 
In Virtue firm, in Wisdom great, 

Thou land of Liberty! 



54 



Far up 'mid Pennsylvania's hills, 

Ye gather now, brave Boys in Blue, 
Who guarded with your lives the land 

Our fathers left to me and you. 
Hast'ning with honor, laurels, love, 

Ye come from farm and busy mart — 
I come not, but, half trembling, send 

The tribute of my grateful heart. 

Oh, Loyal Men, who conquering came, 

Late from the lurid fields of war, 
Bringing the Ark of Union home, 

On your victorious car, 
'Tis meet that you, brave, kindred souls, 

Should seek each patriot mound. 
With reverent feet, and grateful heart. 

Our country's holy ground ! 

Men, o'er the ocean, fought for Kings, 

But ye, brave Sire and Son, 
To make these States " the promised land " 

For all beneath the sun ; 
You rushed to battle eager, brave, 

And fought the Nation's pride, — 
True sons of martyred sires who erst 

Endured, and starved and died. 

Sublime in suffering, waiting was to do, 

Oh, holy men of long ago ! 
Starving in cold and frozen camp, 

Praying on blood-stained snow ; 
Till weary with the hope deferred. 

Some waited not the coming day; 
But overtaxed, by suffering spent, 

The silver cord gave way. 

They prayed, and fought, endured and died, 

For all the race of time ; 
And ye, their Peers, through paths of death 

Bore Union-Ark to Freedom's Shrine ! 
Oh, could their unseen souls return. 

How would they bless their sons! 
Mingling with triumph songs of praise. 

And holy orisons. 

Rejoice ! the veil of centuries is rent, 

A hundred years sublime 
Lie like the waves, ere winds arise. 

Upon the shores of time ! 

55 



Blest vale, so fair that Paradise 
Revived for man, again, in thee, 

Blest sunny slopes, and favoring skies, 
That cradled first young Liberty! 

Renowned thy Chieftain's soul of truth. 

Thy Prussian's martial lore. 
Thy Marquis — all the lion hearts 

Who led in Freedom's war. 
Our grateful hearts beat high to them. 

But oh, they yearn to-day 
O'er those whose strong, heroic souls, 

In silence passed away. 

Oh feet, that pressed these green redoubts, 

Worn feet, this camping ground. 
Your work among these holy hills 

Is felt the wide earth round — 
One power is reaping her reward, 

Sole nation, in advance, 
To welcome Heaven-born Freedom in, 

The friendly land of France. 

In war-tried Europe nations fall. 

But thou, oh. Fair and Young! 
Now that the clouds of slavery flee 

That o'er thy morning hung — 
Thy sun must rise while theirs decline. 

Shedding o'er all Hope's ray serene; 
Dispelling heart-ache, want and woe, 

Where'er its peaceful glories beam. 

The Union safe, thy loyal sons 

Press proudly round thee now, 
Who lifted Slavery's malison 

From Freedom's suffering brow. 
She mourns her unreturning brave, 

Lost in our country's night of woe. 
While yet the tide of civil war 

O'er breaking hearts surged to and fro. 

And, Christ-like, on the mountain yearns. 

To gather young and old, 
In pitying love! till her white wings 

Shall all mankind enfold. 
Land of my love! God guard thee well, 

Thou hope of every clime! 
And guide thee, blessing man, and blest. 

Thou Fairest-bom of Time! 

56 



Oh, keep our fair Columbia pure, 

Brave brothers, tried and true ; 
Guard well her honor, and the right, 

Our hopes are all with you ! 
Then round her brow forevermore, 

Shall stars of Freedom shine. 
That know no zenith of increase, 

No nadir of decline. 

Now blest with Union, Freedom, Peace, 

Give all the praise to God, 
And consecrate anew, this day, 

Our land, our lives, to God. 
Then shall his benison descend 

On harvest and on store. 
And, ocean-like, o'er all the land. 

Flow ever, evermore ! 

Grand Armies, glorious then and now ! 

That left to face the foe ; 
This victor comes, united, free! 

To honor those of long ago, 
March ! brothers, march, at set of sun, 

Your graceful homage given; 
And let your paeans, as you go, 

Roll o'er the hills to heaven ! 

United States Consulate, Para, Brazil, May ii, 1878. 




THE BENTIVEE 

(A Brazilian Bird.) 
By MRS. MARY E. THROPP CONE 

COME ! I come through the sunny air 

From the shore of the sounding sea. 
What flying away from thy lover. Sweet, 

Ha! ha! * Eu ben-ti-ve! 
Over the deserts that stretch to the sun, 

Through forests as broad as the sea, 
I'd follow thee ever, I'd follow thee on — 

Escape ! Eu ben-ti-ve ! 



* " I see thee well." Eu Portuguese for I, is pronounced in two 
syllables — e-u. The female bird is an arrant little coquette. She can 
be heard nearly always piping her clear Bentivee in a grove quite 
distant from that of her mate. 

57 



Flash go thy wings through the cocoa palms, 

Now fold in the mango tree, 
Thou'rt lifting thy shy little head from the leaves, 

Ha ! ha ! Eu ben-ti-ve ! 
My Beauty at bay, my coy little Love, 

Soft cooing thy ben-ti-ve — 
Aye, sing it, my Queen, first thou and then I, 

Our rapturous ben-ti-ve! 



¥ 



HOME SICKNESS 

(Written for the Norristown Herald.) 

Affectionately inscribed to Mrs. Joseph E. Thropp. 

By MRS. MARY E. THROPP CONE 

HE sea on the bar breaks ever, 
In billows of green and gold: 
And overhead, in its vastness, 

The fathomless blue is enrolled. 
There comes no wind from the ocean, 

The ships lie at anchor asleep, 
There is not a cloud in the heavens 
To shadow the earth or the deep. 
Oh give in exchange for this glory, 
So sweltering, bright and still, 
A mist .from our Schuylkill Valley, 
A breeze from my native hill. 

Day after day glides slowly, 

Ever and ever the same; 
Skies of intensest splendor, 

Airs, which smite hot as flame; 
Birds of imperial plumage, 

Palms straight as columns of fire, 
Acacia, orange and mango — 

They fill not my heart's desire. 
I long for the song of the blackbird 

The cataract's leap and flash ; 
The beauty of oak, elm and maple. 

The gleam of the mountain ash. 




58 



Only when night is quiescent, 

And studded with alien stars, 
Loved faces seem at my casement. 

To gaze through the vine wreathed bars. 
Oh, hearts which once beat together, 

Now wandering far and wide ! 
Oh, lives on Time's current drifting 

Like seaweed out with the tide ! 
Oh, fondly loved in my own land ! 

I fold my hands in prayer. 
That the dear good Father above us 

May hasten our meeting there ! 

Speed soon through the glowing tropics, 

Brave ship that shall bear me home, 
Right on, like a God-sent arrow, 

Through tempest, and wave, and foam ; 
Then back, through the unseen girdle, 

That circles the rolling earth. 
Till again shall blaze on thy compass, 

The lode-star over the North, 
That the winds of the hills may greet me. 

That my fotsteps again may roam, /^y__>^ -/ 

In the land of my heart's devotion, ^^ 

The land of my childhood's home ! 

Pernambuco, Brazil, July, 1880. 



MY HELMSMAN 
By MRS. MARY E. THROPP CONE 

ROM our balcony, facing the sea, at Pernambuco, 
I loved to watch the curious, danger-defying little 
catamarans, or Brazilian jagandas. 

Catamaran in Portuguese means " tied trees." 
It is a small, narrow craft, usually 5x15 feet, 
made of a porous palm, light as cork, called " pau 
de jaganda." It has a white lateen-sail and is 
manned by two fishermen — one at the prow, the 
other at the stern — and is sunk by their weight 
to the level of the water, so that at a little distance the men 
seem to be walking on the sea. 

On the rude seat, a tripod fastened in the stern, sits the 
owner, a sort of monarch of all he surveys, absolutely fearless 
though at the mercy of wind and wave, while at the prow of 

59 




the audacious little craft stands the helmsman, alert, powerful, 
steering so skilfully that, however high the waves, the jaganda 
is lifted to mount the swell and ride safely over the billows. 

No matter what the weather and when all other boats are 
useless, these fishermen fearlessly launch their jagandas and 
venture many miles out to sea. 

Every morning a score of them could be seen from our 
front windows, far out toward the horizon, skipping and danc- 
ing about like a flock of white-winged birds on the sunny blue 
of the ocean. But more than once I have been chilled with 
horror to see one of them run down by some huge steamer, 
and while still gazing speechless with distress, lo ! and behold ! 
the indomitable little craft would suddenly bob up behind the 
ship, helmsman and steersman both safe, dripping but un- 
daunted, and after righting themselves go serenely on their 
way as if nothing had happened. 

To me the jagandas were always interesting, and nothing 
seemed so typical of the lonely human soul on the sea of life 
as this simple, singular structure, contrived by the Brazilian 
Indians to traverse the waters of their coasts, hundreds of 
years ago. 

Afar and afloat on life's treacherous sea 
In its buoyant jy^teda my spirit sails free — 
A waif on the waters when billows o'erwhelm. 
I mount and I conquer — my Lord's at the helm. 

Great ships plow the ocean, they little heed thee, 
My dauntless jaganda, least craft on the sea — 
Borne down by them often I'm lifted again, 
And steered, safely steered, by the Lord of the main. 

Swept down in the eddy, engulfed in black night, 
I cry to my Helmsman in agonized fright — 
His strong arm sustains me. His soothing reply 
Is balm to my spirit, " Fear not, it is I." 

So, whether in tempests, when heavy gales blow, 
And o'er my jaganda the huge billows flow, 
Or, whether in sunshine on seas blue and fair, 
What matter, my soul, if thy Helmsman be there? 

Though its bosom be surging, far down in the deep, 
The ocean lies calm as an infant asleep — 
Come storm then, and cyclone, let loose the wild sea. 
There is peace, perfect peace, for the mind stayed on Thee. 

Oil City, Pa. CL . 

60 //^X4^ a cuolcL- yC 




FORT HUNTINGTON, VALLEY FORGE, FROM THE SOUTH. 




THE LONG ENTRENCHMENT. MOUNT JOY, VALLEY FORGE. 



MY PRAYER 

Published in the Christian Herald, Januai"}' i6, 1895. 
By MRS. MARY E. THROPP CONE 

■■ Cast all your cares upon Him, for he careth for 3-ou." 



ARE. O. my Father, take 

Of this frail life of mine, 
Deal with me as thou wilt. 
And make me wholly thine. 

Fighting the war of life. 

With weary heart and brain, 

Dear Father, in this world of strife. 
Do thou my soul sustain. 



Take, O, my Father, take 
This wayward heart of mine, 

I can not give it thee. 

But thou canst make it thine. 

Thou only. Lord, canst know. 
Thou only. Lord, canst see 

How hard the struggle is beneath, 
Tho' calm the surface be. 




Nothing but perfect faith, 
And love of thy sweet will. 

Can J>H ni£- from the deep. 

And bid me : " Peace, be still ! " 

Care thou ! I will not care 
Nor ask with troubled mind. 

About my future here. 
Teach me to be resigned. 



uJmaJ> 



l^iML, X 



Care for me all my life. 

Care thou for me and mine — 
Almighty Father, gracious, good. 

Care thou for all of thine. 




THE NEGLECTED MONUMENT OF 
VALLEY FORGE 

From the Philadelphia Inquirer, July 21, 1882. 

To the Editor of the Inquirer: 

EAR SIR: — Back agan to Valley Forge, after 
having visited Holyrood and Westminster, Ver- 
sailles and the Vatican, the Forum and the Coli- 
seum ; after having threaded the silent streets of 
Pompeii, and sailed up the lonely Amazon ; and I 
have seen no spot in the Old World or the New, 
so dear, so delightful, or so interesting to me as 
Valley Forge, with its sacred memories, its hal- 
lowed associations. 
" Tell us about the Valley Forge ; describe it," strangers 
have so often said to me abroad ; and I have answered : 
Nearly a score of miles up the Schuylkill River from Philadel- 
phia, a narrow stream leaves the fertile valley of Chester, and 
winding northward, cuts a deep ravine through its western 
mountain range, almost a mile in length ; emerges, widens, and 
passes through a small village, empties its clear flood into the 
Schuylkill. As this stream affords a noble water power, the 
early colonists built near its lake-like mouth a factory, rows of 
houses on both banks and a forge, and the place was known 
as Valley Forge. 

Tradition tells us that William Penn bought this lovely 
valley from Wingbone, the chief of the Leni Lenape Indians ; 
and that one day while prospecting on the south side he lost 
his way. After wandering about some time in great perplex- 
ity he crossed the valley, and, on gaining the summit of the 
opposite hill, he was rejoiced to see the familiar Schuylkill 
winding toward his beloved city of Philadelphia ; that he named 
the hill on which he stood Mount Joy, and the one he had re- 
cently left Mount Misery. Along the table land of Mount 
Joy stretches an encampment ground, marked by a redoubt, 
the foundations of a fort or two, and here and there a name- 
less mound beneath which the remains of private soldiers 
repose. Very simple all this. Nevertheless every inch of 
this soil is hallowed ground, baptized with patriot blood and 
consecrated to freedom. Yes, this encampment ground has 
been the theatre of events great and memorable in the ages to 
come, when we of to-day shall be laid low and the memory of 
us shall have perished from the earth ; for this spot witnessed 
the turning point of the American Revolution, and without 
Valley Forge there would have been no independence for the 
American people. 

61 



After having been beaten at Brandy wine, suffering mas- 
sacre at Paoli and defeat at Germantown, we were to be slowly 
starved into submission at Valley Forge. How little the 
British, luxuriating in Philadelphia, understood the heroes 
waiting and watching and starving behind those intrenchments. 
In the log huts of this encampment ground were developed 
the unconquerable will, the undying determination never to 
submit or yield, that proved to England and the world that 
Americans could not be subdued. Sublime, the great hearts 
ready to break of those uncomplaining soldiers, with that 
mighty spirit under their hunger-worn ribs, standing barefoot 
in the snow ; squalid, sad, but invincible, working their sure 
way through storm and darkness to victory over the most 
powerful nation of modern Europe. For it was here during 
the weary months of the terrible winter of 1777-78, that the 
Continental Army received that training and discipline which 
enabled it to cope ever after with the veterans of Great Britain. 

Think of that poor, defeated army, with the successful 
enemy triumphing near, ridiculing, traducing, tempting them ; 
abandoned by Congress, with suffering families weeping for 
their return ; no help, no hope. Despairing but indomitable, 
they could do and die, those faithful guardians of liberty ; 
great in life, surpassingly great in death. The impartial page 
of history has recorded what armies dare and do for conquest ; 
but Valley Forge has proved to the world a fortitude in camp 
.«iuperior to bravery in battle, a steadfastness to principle more 
powerful than enthusiasm, and a devotion to freedom sublime 
in its self-abnegation. 

But do we of to-day realize what a heritage they have be- 
queathed to us, those martyr heroes ? The growth of the 
United States is unparalleled in history. The vastness of their 
extent, their resources, are they not a wonder to the world? 
Our marvelous land, bounded by oceans ; its lakes, like lesser 
oceans ; its mighty rivers of fabulous length ; its varied climate, 
from iceberg and glacier to torrid desert; its interminable 
mountain ranges, its fertile valleys, its unimagined and unim- 
aginable wealth and beauty — a land as fair as the garden of 
the Lord ; a delightful land is this, the American fatherland. 

Morally, it is based on the vantage ground of liberty and 
equality. It promotes the elevation of the human race; it 
educates the emigrants from all nations in honesty and virtue ; 
it inculcates industry and expels foreign prejudices by the 
force of advancing intelligence. It provides for the rising 
generations of Europe and America a shelter and home under 
" a government of the people and by the people." The won- 
derful American people ! Composed of many races merged 
into one ; active, able, full of enterprise and force, acting with 
the power of a myriad of giants, speaking one language, living 

62 



under one flag, bound by common ties and interests, and in- 
spired by one common feeling of patriotism. 

But why am I here writing- to-day? Is it solely to recount 
the praises of American heroes and their mighty achievements ? 
Then would my pen have ample scope in narrating the recent 
sacrifices, defeats and victories in the conflict for the Union, 
for the world never saw more unselfish or truer patriotism. 
Is it to boast of our national greatness? This is unnecessary, 
for who would not be an American citizen and claim a home 
in these United States ? No ; as I sit here on Mount Joy 
to-day, my heart is full of gratitude to the Valley Forge heroes 
who sacrificed themselves for our freedom. Can we, their 
heirs, fail to honor those marvelous men who laid the founda- 
tions broad and deep upon which has been erected this mag- 
nificent Republic with its fifty millions of freemen? Is it 
within the compass of human thought to dwell upon our 
present greatness and forget those to whom we are indebted 
for it? Is there any other spot between the Atlantic and 
Pacific of which Americans have greater reason to be proud 
than the encampment ground of Valley Forge? Surely the 
virtues here displayed deserve to be remembered with as much 
gratitude and admiration as the more brilliant but less difficult 
achievements of Bennington, Monmouth and Yorktown. True, 
we have had parades, encampments and celebrations here ; but 
these, however imposing, are ephemeral, never, except at the 
Centennial, satisfying public expectation ; and hence, perhaps 
the apathy of the people so much complained of, so disgraceful. 

It can not be generally known that there is nothing here 
to commemorate the courage, the fidelity that kept those de- 
voted troops from flinching before hunger and cold, and 
nakedness and disease, week after week, month after month, 
with a fortitude and patience unparalleled in history. It 
can not be, for we are not an ungrateful nor an ungenerous 
people. If the press generally would call attention to this 
fact we should have a response from Alaine to Mexico. The 
people, if aroused, would consider it a privilege to erect a 
monument in honor of those extraordinary men, unspeakably 
brave and true — true through a whole winter of perplexity, 
of doubt, distress and danger; brave hearts in weary bodies, 
covered by rags and soiled garments, those dear, inimitable 
Continentals ! We have no rich memory with thankfulness 
to which they are not entitled ; we have no praise rich with 
reverence that is not due to them. 

God grant that my countrymen may pause in the pursuit 
of wealth long enough to consider this one blot of ingratitude 
on their otherwise perfect escutcheon, and in set oration and 
address do honor to the illustrious dead of Valley Forge, hold 
up preeminently those ideals of patriotism, determined at last 
to worthily honor the memory of those mighty architects who 

63 



constructed for us so strong and well the indestructible pil- 
lars of liberty, equality and fraternity, supporting the superb 
superstructure of the North American Republic. 



Valley Forge, July, 1882. 



Mary E. Thropp Cone. 




THE NAMELESS GRAVE OF VALLEY FORGE 

(Published in the Chester Daily Republican.) 
By MRS. MARY E. THROPP CONE 



UBLIME in suffering, waiting was to do. 

Oh, lion hearts of long ago ! 
Starving in cold and frozen camp, 

Praying on blood-stained snow ; 
Till weary with the hope deferred, 

Some waited not the coming day; 
But overtaxed, by suffering spent, 

The silver cord gave way. 



Once more, after years of absence and travel in foreign 
lands, I stand on the summit of Mount Joy and look down on 
the lovely Valley of my birth again. 

The glorious events of other days, when men starved, and 
froze, and died for Freedom, pass before me in retrospection, 
as the days of the Revolution return. 

Oh, if these old trees could speak, if these beautiful wild 
laurels that grow on the same spot where they blossomed a 
century ago could but testify, what marvelous tales of bravery, 
suffering and endurance would they not unfold, to what tradi- 
tions would they not certify, and with what intense interest 
we Americans would listen to the record. But this may not 
be. Fancy shall people this fair scene for us, and we will 
gaze with unquestioning belief on the panorama she bids pass 
before us. It was the morning of some such day as this, a 
bright May morning, and the day appointed for a sham-battle, 
to revive the flagging spirits of the half-famished soldiers of 
Valley Forge. 

There was the fair field prepared ; seats were arranged for 
the spectators and there the lists made ready for the gallant 
combatants. There, around the tents occupied by officers 
and men, hung the battle-flags of the Continental Army, glit- 
tering in their various emblazonry against the morning sun ; 

64 



and here the gay costumes, the graceful pkunes, and the flut- 
tering- of embroidered banners were reflected in the quiet 
streams. 

What does the quiet stream reflect now? The clouds 
drifting over the untrovibled heaven, and the graceful swaying 
of the willow-wands ; but, as in water, face answereth to face, 
so the heart of man to man ; and amongst that company were 
some features which the varied course of a hundred years has 
not altered. Human hearts were there ; there was the throb 
of ambition, the bound of pride, the thrill of patriotism, such 
as man's heart feels now, and oh, deeper, tenderer feelings, 
the quiet bliss of requited affection, the love of a happy heart 
was there. For there in the midst of her friends under a 
canopy gallantry had prepared for the ladies, the admiration 
of her circle, the belle of the Valley, sat the gentle maiden 
Isabel. 

Her robe, closely fitting her delicate figure, was of cream- 
colored satin, fringed with gold and embroidered with lilies 
of the valley. The circlet round her slender waist, glistening 
with pearls, was clasped with ornaments of wrought gold. 
Priceless lace bordered her snowy neck and arms, and a cluster 
of moss rosebuds reposed on her modest bosom. 

All that love could do to add grace to a perfect form and to 
arrange round a bewitching face the soft profusion of sunny 
hair, which indeed little needed such affectionate device, had 
been done that morning; and the eyes of the young officers, 
as they galloped to and fro, in preparation, loved to linger on 
the fair picture, and even the stern faces of elderly commanders 
softened with involuntary admiration as they bared their 
stately heads to beauty. 

Charming Isabel ! How her sweet face flushed as her 
handsome young soldier rode up to greet her, doffing his cap, 
and bending low to his saddle bow in loyal homage before her. 
Modest little maiden ! for his sake only was she there, for his 
sake only was she so daintily adorned, well pleased for his 
sake to find herself so fair. Alas, for Isabel, the happy hearted ! 
Well for her that bright morning that her violet eyes could 
not penetrate the future, and see herself, how very soon, clad 
in the black habilments of woe, weeping over the low grave, 
in which all her hopes were buried — the gentle, the beautiful, 
the heart-broken Isabel! 

But we need no diversion, my reader, having experienced 
no such winter of privation and suffering as the emaciated 
soldiers, so I shall not stop to review the evolutions of that 
sham battle, even in imagination. Let that scene pass. Turn 
we to a later in the historic panorama. Let us descend the 
mountain, skirt the stream, cross the fields, enter the forest. 
and seat ourselves for a few moments on this mound under 
the leafy boughs of the overhanging trees. You will ask me, 

65 



perhaps, what is the age of this mound, and who placed this 
gray stone here at its head ? And why is it alone here, on the 
edge of the forest, which stretches westward over the Valley 
hill called Mount Misery? 

Tradition tells us of a soldier who, dying in camp, begged 
to be buried in the forest that overlooked his lady's home. 
So those who stood around his bed acquiesced, and after they 
had heard his last sigh, closed his eyes, straightened his limbs 
and wrapped him round with the flag his life had honored, 
they set off, in dark and melancholy procession, bearing him 
over the fields and hills westward, a weary way, till they came 
to this forest, and here they halted, and after the prayer had 
been said and the requiem sung, they covered him in under 
this low mound and placed a stone at its head, the only one 
remaining. 

What is there in that nameless stone, 
With lichen and with moss o'ergrown, 

That bids thee, traveler, stay? 
No sculptor's art with choicest care 
Has traced Corinthian beauty there. 

Why tarry on thy way? 

The sun that wilts our autumn flowers, 
Has seen a race as brave as ours, 

Now to their graves gone by. 
And yon rude stone bids memory tell 
How from the bower of Isabel, 

Her soldier went to die. 

She stood at his side in her pleasant bower, 

The gentle Isabel; — 
(An iris gleamed in the sunbeam's shower.) 
Sweet, pale, yet bright as that trembling flower 

As he kissed her a last farewell ! 
The maiden gazed on his love-lit eye, 

Unconscious Isabel ! 
On his noble forehead, pale and high. 
While his sunk cheek flushed and told silently 

He bade her a last farewell ! 

Paler his cheek in the chilly air 

His brilliant eye grew dim, 
His comrades smoothed the clustering hair, 

And composed the weary limb. 

For vainly the skilful leech had striven 

To lengthen his life's short day; 
Starvation his patient soul had riven, 

And the slow pulse ebbed away. 

66 



And " Thanks," he said, for the stealthy tear, 

And " Thanks " for the cheering tone ; 
" Yet I would not rest, my comrades, here 

But near Isabel, my own. 

" As ye would rest with your fathers brave, 

Would sleep where your mothers lie. 
For His sake, who only our souls can save. 

Bear me back to her to die. 

" It may not be this fluttering heart, 

This sinking — this faintness tell — 
Comrades, pray for the soul that must part, 

And the corse bear to Isabel." 

From camp to Heaven ! In another moon. 
Whilst the gloaming was chill and gray. 

Forth was the worn-out body borne. 
And the long train moved away. 

They wound along the river's sweep, 

Through valley and upland fair, 
Till they came to the forest's shadow deep 

And silently halted there. 

Through the damp dark boughs gleamed a single light 

From, the lattice of Isabel ; 
They laid him down in his dreamless night 

Near the lady he loved so well ! 

Oh, silent anguish of hero-hearts, 

Enduring, the great, and brave! 
We live to enjoy their priceless gifts — 

They rest in a nameless grave! 

Ah, little they recked of fame and power, 

Who starved to set men free; 
And bore, like the Nazarene, their cross 

In the cause of humanity. 

Valley Forge. 



67 




THE WILD FLOWERS OF VALLEY FORGE 

(From the Boston Transcript, December 15, 1882.) 



LEST be the flowers that freely blow 

In this neglected spot; 
Anemone, with leaves of snow, 

And blue forget-me-not. 
God's laurels weave their classic wreath, 

Their pale pink blossoms wave 
O'er lowly mounds, where rest beneath 

Our soldiers in their grave. 



In white and gold the daisies shine 

All o'er Encampment Hill ; 
There wild rose and the columbine 

Lift glistening banners still. 
Here plumy ferns, an emerald fringe, 

Adorn our stream's bright way; 
And soft grass whence the violet springs. 

With fragrant flowers of May. 

Oh, there's a spell around these blooms 

Owned by no rarer flowers ! 
They blossom on our martyrs' tombs, 

And they shall bloom on ours. 
To us, as to our sires, their tone 

Breathes forth the same glad strain: 
" We spring to life when winter's gone 

And ye shall rise again." 

Uncultured round our path they grow. 

Smile up before our tread 
To cheer, as they did long ago. 

Our noble-hearted dead. 
Arbutus in the sheltering wood 

Sighs, " Here he came to pray," 
And pansies whisper, " Thus we stood 

When heroes passed away." 

Thus every wild flower's simple leaf 

Breathes in my native vale 
To conscious hearts some record brief. 

Some true and touching tale. 
Wealth's gay parterre in glory stands : — 

I own their foreign claims, 
Those gorgeous flowers from other lands. 

Rare plants with wondrous names. 

68 



Ye blossomed in our martyrs' fields, 

Beneath the warm spring's sun, 
Sprung from the turf where lowly kneeled 

My matchless Washington. 
Ye in our childhood's garden grew, 

Our sainted mother's bowers; 
My grateful heart beats high to you, 

My own wild valley flowers ! 

Mary E. Thropp Cone. 
Valley Forge, Pa. 

The dew and the sunshine, the grass and the flowers all silently 
emulate each other in beautifying these mounds, intent on rescuing 
from oblivion the neglected dead of the Revolution at Valley Forge. 



¥ 



THE SENTINEL OF VALLEY FORGE 
By MRS. MARY E. THROPP CONE 

" Faithful Unto Death." 




IGHT darkened o'er their camp, a bitter night in winter, 
Behind the woods had sunk the dull, red, clouded sun, 
Scarce crimsoning in its departing glow the mountains 
That echoed to the booming of the evening gun. 
Mount Joy's encampment now is hushed and lonely, 
A winding sheet of snow, o'er all the upland spread, 
Calm, starry eyes gaze from the moonless heaven, 
Orion, Sirius. Mars, the tireless watch o'erhead. 
The weary army sleeps, the camp is still and lonely, 
On the long lines of huts, on swords, on lances. 

And on the pyramids of muskets stacked around 

Only the fitful light of dying watch-fire dances. 

Above the cold, relentless sky, and wide and white below 

The solitary field, one figure moving to and fro. 

" This is my beat," the sentinel said. 
With shouldered musket and resolute tread. 
As he stepped away in his martial grace, 
The bright locks framing his handsome face : 
" Heimgang," the password stern Steuben gave. 
" The Briton that crosses this beat will be brave. 
No other Paoli, my Comrades, dread, 
They'll murder you only when I am dead. 

69 



What matter if lonesome as Jacob to-night, 

Visions shall visit me, like Jacob's bright; 

Then come the wild weather, come sleet or come snow, 

We'll stand by onr country however it blow." 

Long hours of cold intense. Brave guard for that poor army, 

He feels his host in him invincible, forlorn. 

Too great to brood o'er Brandywine and Germantown, 

Implores his God to hasten Freedom's blessed morn. 

The drear encampment now is weird and lonely, 

Dead are the fires, the midnight hour has come — 

What God-like strength of soul grows in the icy torture 

With sense of utmost duty firmly, nobly done ! 

But now comes creeping through the ghostly silence, 

A foe unseen, with stealthy step and bated breath; 

Creeping in shadow of the unsuspecting soldier. 

His dread pursuer gains, the conqueror. Death. 

Arouse ! awake, he cries, the sentry must not sleep — 

O'er all his drowsiness, what lovely pictures creep ! 

The lowly, white-walled home in sea of prairie green. 

Afar the skirting woods, beyond the river's sheen. 

Close by the casement reads my noble, white-haired sire, 

The dear old mother listening, sits knitting by the fire. 

Between, my orphan girl, her shining needle plies, p -j 

Lifting anon to each hei%sweet, serious eyes. J 

My darling, when the conflict's o'er, thou'lt welcome me with joy, 

For only when our Freedom's won, thou'lt see thy soldier boy. 

Thank God, they can not see him now, half frozen, tortured, ill, 

Pacing his weary, ceaseless round on this inclement hill. 

Still flow fair visions round him, such as keep 
Watch, faithful Sentinel, o'er thy freezing sleep. 
Beauty was there with Spring's fresh roses crowned. 
Her curls loose floating and her zone imbound. 
Her white feet glancing in the pure moonlight. 
Her sweet voice singing to the listening night. 
Hither, descending with bright wings unfurled. 
Came Hope, triumphant, from a fairer world. 
And mighty Strength on massive club reclined, 
And Joy, whose bounding feet outstrip the wind, 
And hark ! Fame's trumpet blast, 
As round and on a shadowy pageant passed. 

High beat his heart, exulting at the sound, 
Wide threw his ragged cloak, high swung his cap around. 
Sortie ! Hurrah ! See the curving sweep of Greene ! 
There goes the Chief, his grave, grand face serene, 

70 



See Muhlenberg and Maxwell, Sullivan and Wayne ; 

And there with Weedon, Bland and Poor, goes sceptic Paine. 

See Huntington and Patterson, Scott, Knox, the rest, 

How gallantly they ride their chargers four abreast! 

How black their plumes and steeds, how pale their faces gleam! 

A whirlwind down the long Gulf road their phantom coursers stream : 

O'er thee, my Country, they shall pour the tide of Liberty, 

And thou shalt take thy central stand to set earth's millions free. 

He sleeps, the blood suspends its course in that heroic breast, 
Brave soul and beautiful, ascending from the mountain crest! 
The weary soldier ceased his tramp, succumbed erect, at length, 
And passed from camp to Heaven in his unswerving spirit strength. 
'Twas thus they found him, the relieving guard, at one, 
With wind-swept rippling locks around his brow of stone, 
An arm uplifted, and his blue eyes open, shining fair 
With all the visions of his soul in beauty frozen there ; 
For a strange gladness filled the lustrous dying eyes. 
Which seemed to see revealed the gates of Paradise, 
Gazing afar beyond all battle, suffering, sin, 
Unclosing for his weary, wounded feet to enter in. 

One martyr of the many! Save heights of Palestine, 

No other spot so sacred on this earth, 

" The Valley of the shadow." Through death, new life. 

'Twas Valley Forgia's anguish gave the nation birth. 

The lone encampment ground, ignored, is holy. 

There sleep her saviors on our country's breast. 

No bronze records the throes of that Gethsemane, 

No marble marks the low mounds where they rest. 

Heroes surpassing those of European story, 

V/hose patient courage made s^ kingdoms fall ; <yt^oL y 

Not Albion's hosts, not Gaulian, Grecian, Roman, 

E'er won a heritage so glorious for all. 

(Mrs. Cone's " Sentinel " was written and read at the request of the 
Montgomery Historical Society. February 22, 1883, at Norristown, Pa., 
and was re-read by Professor Francis Lee Lyburger, at the i2Sth anni- 
versary, June 19, 1903, at Valley Forge. Meantime, a man named Hart 
took possession of it, transposed it into prose, changed its name to 
'■ The Sleeping Sentinel at Valley Forge," published it in pamphlet form, 
and sold it at ten or fifteen cents a copy, so Mrs. Cone was informed 
by General Fisher, of Valley Forge. Hart even went so far as to 
insist on its being read as his own at the Anniversary, alleging that 
her " Sentinel " had been stolen from his. But the committee, con- 
sisting of Messrs. Charles Ramey, John O. K. Robarts and General 
Fisher, would not permit it, knowing that Mrs. Cone's " Sentinel " had 
been written about ten years before.) 



71 



MY HUSBAND 
By MRS. MARY E. THROPP CONE 




AM so weary I can do no more." 
Putting aside the pen, and lying down, 
Thy kind eyes closed in sleep, sweet sleep, no frown 
Lined thy calm brow, but at the midnight hour 
Springing erect, thy clear voice calling " Home ! 
Hasten! The last long journey. Dearest, come!" 
Sinking back, thy spirit passed from cross to crown. 
Meet close to thy white life of love, so fraught 
With daily deeds for others' good, who taught 
The secret art of true self-sacrifice 
From heart too disciplined for taint or vice : 
Strong for the right; brave, resolute of will 
Tempered with patient sweetness, calm and still — 
There is no death for thee, but change to Paradise. 
Oil City, August 22, 1888. 



FILIAL LOVE IN OIL CITY 

Published in the Oil City Derrick, June 8, 1892. 
By MRS. MARY E. THROPP CONE 

In the terrible calamity that visited Oil City, June 5, 1892, hundreds 
of instances of personal bravery and self-sacrifice are cited. John 
O'Leary, an express messenger, was found kneeling beside his mother's 
bed, who had been ill for some time. She was unable to move, and her 
son preferred death to leaving his mother to die alone. 



SCAPE, my son, my darling son, oh haste thou must away ! 
Thy mother's useless life is spent, with her thou can'st 

not stay. 
Oh, I had thought in death's dark hour to know that thou 

wert nigh 
To cheer me on the dreaded road that leadeth to the sky. 
But flood and flame are round us now; I can not move, 

my son ; 
But thou must live, for thou art young; farewell, my 

dearest one. 



He kissed with tenderest love her lips, caressed her silver hair. 
Then knelt beside his mother's bed and yielded life in prayer. 
Whilst other men, heroic men, fought death for life that morn. 
Relentless Death, who strode o'er all, triumphant through the storm. 
Oh, they have shown for others' lives what men will dare and do ; 
We kneel in reverence by their biers, the tender, brave and true. 



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